A Fredericton craft cider producer says the growing popularity of cider may cause a shortage of apples in New Brunswick in the next two years.
Red Rover Brewing Company Owner-Operator Adam Clawson says cider production has exploded worldwide and that’s leading to a shortage of ‘juicing apples’ around the world. He says the supply isn’t keeping up with the demand.
He says craft cider is made from 100 per cent juice, and says that juice comes from apples that are locally sourced — and those ‘juicing apples’ are now purchased by an increasing number of cider producers — which is causing a shortage around the world.
Clawson says that growing more apples takes five to 10 years and says cider producers and apple farmers need to start planning for the shortage.
“We’re seeing that next year Nova Scotia will more than likely run out of apples, and realistically New Brunswick will the year after,” Clawson said.
He says it’s important to have a steady supply of apples coming in to be able to guarantee products and jobs.
Clawson says he’s closing-in on producing 50,000 litres of cider this year, and hopes to make between 100,000 and 150,000 litres next year.
“As you can see, with that growth we’re starting to cut into the three million pounds or so of apples that New Brunswick currently produces,” Clawson said.
In an email to Global News, a spokesperson for the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries said many of the cider producers in the province are also apple growers.
The spokesperson said the department had not been made aware of any concerns relating to the supply of juicing apples, but would monitor the situation and work with growers to address any future supply issues.
York County Cider Co-Owner Ed Teale says he’s not worried about a juice apple shortage right now. He said that might change in a couple years, but tells Global News he’s currently got an “ample supply” of apples.
Appleman Farm owner Blair Stirling says he’s not seeing a shortage of apples that could be pressed and fermented into cider.
“Some of the cider makers have specific apples that they’ve decided to use in their production and some of those may be scarce for them,” Stirling said.
Clawson says he will be holding a charity event at Red Rover in October and he’ll be asking people to bring in apples they’ve grown in their backyards. The apples collected will be made into a special batch of cider, with the proceeds going to charity. “Scrumping for a Cause” will benefit the Fredericton Museum, but Clawson says it’s also a chance to find out about new, small orchards.
Ontario cider producers look-ahead
In an email to Global News, Chair of the Ontario Craft Cider Association and owner of Spirit Tree Estate Cidery Thomas Wilson says members of the association are “forward contracting with local growers to guarantee a supply of certain varieties each year.”
“The craft cider industry in Ontario is growing rapidly and is still only 6% of the entire cider market in the province,”said Wilson.
READ MORE: Cider sales soar in Ontario as consumers choose alternatives to beer
Wilson says in a few years that may actually lead to a shortage of apples — something that would be unheard of in the history of apple growing in Ontario.
“The OCCA is working on a strategic plan with other stakeholders to ensure we will have the fruit we need to meet our growing demand, offering apple growers an opportunity to successfully and confidently expand their operations,” he said.
READ MORE: LCBO sees record sales of $5.57B, rise in purchase of Ontario spirits and cider
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