Cider to overtake alcopops

Five years ago, when cider barely registered as a popular drink, Australian politicians and lawmakers were loudly voicing their concerns about the increasing consumption of pre-mixed spirits (“alcopops”). Now in 2014 the latest data from Roy Morgan Research reveal that cider consumption is about to overtake that of pre-mixed spirits, perhaps within months.

Perhaps influenced by the tax increase on pre-mixed spirits in 2008, the number of pre-mixed spirits drinkers has been steadily declining over the last five years as cider (which was not subject to the tax increase) has gained popularity.

In the year to March 2014, the number of cider drinkers (2,009,000) was just 100,000 short of the number drinking pre-mixed spirits (2,109,000) – and if the growth trends continue, cider drinkers will outnumber those consuming alcopops by the end of 2014.