C&C considers Nordic expansion of Magners cider within three years

C&C could expand its Magners cider brand to the Nordic markets — specifically Sweden and Finland — within the next three years, although group chief executive, John Dunsmore, said that the move is still at the “drawing board” level.

Mr Dunsmore was speaking after C&C’s annual general meeting in Dublin yesterday, a day after the group announced its intention to buy the Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish divisions of the Anheuser Busch/InBev group, for nearly €205 million — a deal which is due to be completed in October, depending on shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting at the same time.

Mr Dunsmore — the former head of British brewing company, Scottish & Newcastle and chief of C&C for the last nine months — also said there existed a good opportunity to achieve double-digit growth for Magners in the US market and to introduce more cider-related products into the group’s portfolio.