Ireland’s Craft Community – Bord Bia’s Craft Beer and Cider Industry Report

Michael Jacob, Drinks Sector Manager, Bord Bia

Image Source: Bord Bia

Bord Bia recently launched the Craft Beer and Cider Industry Report (Bord Bia 2023). The craft beer and cider industries continue to grow in Ireland to meet the demand of consumers at home and globally for premium, craft products. This article delves into some of the key points of the findings.

A-peel-ing Irish cider

Currently, there are 12 craft cider producers in Ireland and all cider companies surveyed sourced apples and pears from their own orchards highlighting the sustainability of the sector. Provenance is also extremely important for these craft cider producers with over 50% of their sales coming from within 50km of the cider producer’s premise. 
Craft cider consumption accounts for 2.2% of overall consumption of cider in Ireland with the domestic market being the key market for craft cider producers. Irish craft cider is however also exported globally with approximately 10% of overall production destined for markets such as the Netherlands, Belgium, France and even as far as Australia!

Crafting a growing industry

The number of Irish craft breweries has continued to rise with 79 now in operation in Ireland. The pandemic however did create uncertainty within the sector, with 16 craft breweries closing since mid-2018 and 20 new craft breweries entering the sector during the same time period. 
Bord Bia’s Cultivating Craft study (Bord Bia 2021) found that the majority of Irish beer consumers regularly consume or are willing to try craft beer as an alternative to international brands. This was reflected in Bord Bia’s latest report, with craft gaining positive growth in terms of overall market share of the consumer beer market. 
The report found that craft beer accounted for 3.4% of overall beer consumption in 2022, up from 2.9% in 2017. This growth is despite overall consumption of beer declining by 2.7% in Ireland over the period of 2017 – 2022. 
Similar to craft cider, there is a stronger emphasis placed on craft beer exports than we have seen in the past. Craft beer destined for exports accounted for 30% of overall production with France, the UK and Italy the top destinations for Irish craft beer. Additionally, two-thirds of craft breweries surveyed who do not currently export intend to in the next three years.
There are now craft breweries in 23 of the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland and you can find your local brewery at www.irishbeer.ie. 

Raise a glass

The Irish craft beer and cider industries combined account for approximately 700 jobs across Ireland highlighting the importance of the industry to local communities across Ireland. Irish suppliers hold sustainability at the heart of what they do, with over 90% of suppliers stating it was very or extremely important to how they produce their product. This is an industry to be proud of in Ireland and the craft products produced in Ireland have received recognition worldwide!

The full Craft Beer and Cider Report can be accessed here and you can also read our Cultivating Craft study at this link. Previously, Bord Bia have released their Craft Community podcast and developed the Irish beer map with the Independent Craft Brewers of Ireland (ICBI) and you can view profiles of our Origin Green verified producers here.

Irish craft beer and cider report 

https://www.bordbia.ie/industry/insights/publications/craft-beer-and-cider-report/

Sources: 

Bord Bia 2023. Craft Beer and Cider Industry Report [Online]. Accessed from: https://www.bordbia.ie/globalassets/bordbia.ie/industry/insights/publications/craft-beer--cider-report-digital-version.pdf 
Bord Bia 2021. Cultivating Craft Futures in Ireland [Online]. Accessed from: https://www.bordbia.ie/globalassets/bordbia2020/industry/insights/new-publications/cultivating-craft-futures-in-ireland_web_july21.pdf