Cider boost gives Heineken the edge in Ireland

Heineken’s expansion into the cider market helped boost its Irish revenues and market share last year.

Heineken Ireland grew its share of the total long alcohol drinks (LAD) market by 0.8%, with like-for-like revenues growing by 4%.

This was helped by the introduction of Heineken Light boosting sales of the group’s eponymous lager label, and Coors Light maintaining its position as the number one bottled beer in the Irish on-trade sector. Furthermore, the group’s Orchard Thieves cider brand — unveiled in April of last year — is now the second biggest cider brand in the country, behind C&C’s Bulmers label, with a 10.3% slice of the category.