OUR BLISTERING SUMMER last year meant that we drank more cider, helping the owner of the Bulmers brand deliver a boost in profit this year.

In a statement released today, C&C said that its Bulmers brand “outperformed the marketplace, highlighting the beneficial effect of a good summer on cider consumption”.

The group said that net revenue from cider sales increased by 1.7 per cent in the Republic of Ireland, which it said helped drive a general upswing in profitability.

Indeed, cider in Ireland seems to sell itself during good weather, with the positive figures for last year achieved despite a €3 million cut in advertising and promotion spend.

In the UK, where the cider is sold as Magners, sales in Scotland climbed by 6.5 per cent year on year.

Irish beer volumes for the company’s stable of brands, which includes Tennants, were up 3.7 per cent in the year.

Profits up

Revenue and profits from the Irish arm of the drinks giant were considerably higher last year.

Full financial year results for the company show an increase of 157.4 per cent in revenue to €237.3 million, while operating profits also climbed 22.6 per cent to €48.2 million.

The strong results were in part driven by C&C’s acquisition of distributor Gleeson in 2012.

When Gleeson revenues are excluded, the operating profit still grew by 9.4 per cent to €43 million.

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