Somerset’s cider industry is experiencing significant production challenges following extended dry conditions. Multiple producers across the region report severely reduced apple harvests, with some orchards producing only a fraction of their typical yields. One operation near Bath managed just 10% of its normal crop, while a major grower reported losing roughly half of expected production at individual sites.
The drought has created compounding stress on trees, particularly after a dry preceding year that already weakened many plants. Trees stressed by water scarcity have dropped fruit prematurely, and much of what remains rots before reaching maturity. Some growers are harvesting apples only to dispose of them, as the fruit is unsuitable for cider production despite the expense of growing them.
While strong consumer demand for cider during hot weather has boosted sales, production constraints pose serious concerns for the industry’s future. Cider makers who rely on fresh juice rather than concentrate face particular challenges, as their production capacity is directly tied to annual fruit availability. Industry participants express worry that ongoing drought stress could permanently damage trees and reduce capacity in subsequent years.
Climate scientists indicate that current weather patterns represent a shift in baseline conditions rather than isolated anomalies. Growers are adjusting practices, including irrigation for young trees, though large-scale irrigation across hundreds of acres remains economically unfeasible for cider operations. Additionally, certain traditional apple varieties prized for their flavor profile, such as Dabinett, require winter cold snaps that have not occurred recently, potentially altering the character of West Country cider as growing conditions evolve.
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