The vision of a billion-dollar premium cider export industry has taken a significant step forward.
Cider Apples New Zealand co-founders John Powell and Allan White said the results at the FWCMANZ 36th annual awards signalled a turning point for the sector.
“New Zealand has the breeding expertise, the orchard capability, and the export acumen to create a global cider renaissance,” said White.
“Growing premium apples and producing premium beverages for export is part of our DNA.”
Simon Pearce of The Cider Factorie said cider today is where wine was in the early 1990s and that new apple varieties were the key to creating exciting, world-class ciders that deliver a distinctive New Zealand style and global consumer appeal.
Cider Apples New Zealand has already identified four new apple varieties through screening partnerships with Prevar and Plant & Food Research, with plantings available in 2026. The next phase of the roadmap focuses on global market testing.
“Cider has a direct line of sight back to the orchard, the land, and its people. That sense of place gives us an authentic provenance story and a sustainable pathway to premium global positioning,” said White.
To prepare for export, pre-commercial trials were conducted at The Cider Factorie, Elemental Cider, and Peckham’s Cider. These small-batch trials will be evaluated in China, gathering consumer insights to refine flavour profiles for the Asian premium market.
“This research ensures consumer preferences directly influence our breeding programme,” said Powell.
“The world drinks 2.5 billion litres of cider a year, and premium ciders are the fastest-growing segment, especially as a lower-alcohol alternative to wine, particularly among younger drinkers.”
With new apple varieties, award-winning producers, and a clear export strategy, New Zealand is poised to lead a global wave in premium ciders, transforming orchard innovation into an international opportunity.
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