Provincial funding adds sparkle to Ontario’s craft cider marketing

Ontario is investing $6 million over the next six years to assist provincial craft cideries spur growth through product marketing.

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“The Ontario Craft Cider Marketing Fund (CCMF) is the single most impactful development for the Ontario craft and cider industry in over a decade,” said Jenifer Dean, Ontario Craft Cider Association (OCCA) chair. “The industry is in its infancy, and this fund will help it develop into one of Ontario’s most significant beverage alcohol industries.”

Why it matters: The program will stimulate long-term growth, enhance consumer craft cider awareness and accelerate Ontario craft cideries’ access to new market opportunities.

The OCCA is receiving up to $89,000 to expand the DrinkON Apples Certification, allowing consumers to identify which products are 100 per cent Ontario apples.

With approximately 979 apple growers and 16,000 acres of apple trees provincially supplying the craft cider sector, Brian Rideout, Ontario Apple Growers chair, said the drive to expand and highlight locally made craft ciders is positive.

The DrinkON apple logo marks a quality-made local craft cider, said Dean, and the CCMF will facilitate consumer cider education and sampling products possible at festivals, sampling events and visiting local cideries via the Ontario Craft Cider Trail.

By the end of October, every convenience, grocery and big-box store will sell cider, beer, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.

“Ontario apples have given rise to award-winning Ontario craft cider,” said Janice Ruddock, OCCA executive director. “(We thank the province) for their vision in seeing the unlimited potential to cultivate a thriving Ontario craft cider industry.”

Ontario’s Small Cidery Program will provide grants of up to $220,000 to help cideries expand their facilities, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, and hire more staff to meet demand.

“We recognize the industry’s great potential for growth, and this investment is just one way we are ensuring its success, now and in the future,” said Rob Flack, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.