The time to celebrate with craft cider is here. Whether its sweet, dry or medium, those who enjoy drinking a good quality Australian craft cider can now easily identify the quality and origin of ingredients by looking for the 100% Australian grown trust mark on cider labels across 60 brands.

A world-first, the trust mark will help cider consumers make more informed choices when buying craft cider made with 100% Australian grown apples or pears.

Cider has been increasing in popularity in Australia with 13.6 per cent of the adult population now choosing to consume the beverage when unwinding with an alcoholic drink [1]. However, less than 15 per cent of Australia’s cider market comprises craft ciders made with 100% Australian grown fruit, and current labelling laws make it difficult to identify the origin of fruit in cider.

The launch of the trust mark initiative helps Aussies to support local fruit growers, craft cider producers and the regional communities in which they operate. It’s also hoped the trust mark will drive significant growth for the Australian craft cider industry, raising its profile both domestically and internationally.

The trust mark is only available to Cider Australia members to ensure the cider produced meets an industry standard, while providing complete integrity within the market.

The initiative is part of a larger campaign to build a sustainable cider industry in Australia and establish an export market for local brands. Cider Australia has been working with Wine Australia to develop the trust mark and brand proposition after receiving a $500,000 boost from the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package to market and grow Australian craft cider internationally. Trust mark development has also been supported by levy funds from the Australian Apple Marketing Levy, managed byHort Innovation,a not-for-profit, grower-owned Research and Development Corporation (RDC) for Australia’s horticulture industry.

www.cideraustralia.org.au

[1]http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/7550-wine-most-popular-but-beer-most-drunk-201804060631