More Cider apples grown

CIDER apple production has increased significantly with 154 hectares produced by fourteen growers last year, the latest census on the overall industry has revealed.

An estimated 50% increase in the cider apple area since 1997 is attributed to the planting of new orchards by individual growers for the drinks industry.

Fifteen varieties are grown with Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny having 95% of the total cider apple production area.