KERRY Foods won an Irish “Food Oscar” yesterday for its success on the export market with Cheesestrings, the popular snack that it produces in Charleville, Co Cork, where it employs more than 500 people.

C&C may need to support its pear cider offering with further new products to boost sales volumes, according to analysts.

SHARES in drinks group, C&C rose by nearly 8% – or 15c – yesterday to €2.05 after an independent survey of Irish publicans showed that early take up of its new pear cider product has been strong.

C&C today said cider sales were ahead of hopes after the summer heatwave and a new version of its leading drink boosted demand.