This will be the first time the Swedish-based cider producer will make its usually imported products in Britain, and follows JD Wetherspoon (JDW) boss Tim Martin’s decision to stock more non-EU products across his sites.
According to a memo seen by the Press Association, MA has been told, the move will help Kopparberg maintain relationships with the pub trade following Brexit next year.
A rumour surfaced earlier this year about the potential of Kopparberg moving production to the UK, but the producer stayed silent.
MA contacted Kopparberg today, but the company would not comment. However, a close source has confirmed the move is happening. Production will begin on a small scale and could be increased.
It is not known where the production site will be based, but Kopparberg recently relocated its headquarters from London to Leeds.
Fear over Brexit
Many pub and bar operators are gripped with fear over Brexit with more bosses, asked in a CGA Fourth survey, saying they expect increased ingredients costs as well as decreases in staff.
Earlier this month, JDW’s Martin floated plans to ditch three mainland European drinks brands from his 880-strong estate’s drinks offering.
Jägermeister and French brandies Courvoisier VS and Hennessy Fine de Cognac won’t be available across the estate from 26 September.
Instead, they will be replaced with US E&J Brandy, Australian brand Black Bottle and a UK herbal liqueur named Strika.
Founder and chairman Martin said: “The three new products will be offered at a lower price than those they are replacing.”
Significant move by us
He continued: “This is a significant move by us and highlights our commitment to offering an excellent range of UK and world products, with an emphasis on quality and value for the 2m customers who visit our pubs each week.”
According to Martin, in blind tastings, the products were more popular than the ones they were replacing.
Over the next two years, in a bid to make the pub chain more competitive, the more products would be reviewed.
“Many commentators talk of a ‘cliff edge’ if the UK ‘crashes out’ of the EU without a deal. In reality, there is a no cliff edge, only sunlit uplands beyond the EU’s protectionist system of quotas and tariffs,” he added.
“All EU products have UK or non-EU replacements, often at equal or better quality and price. It is important to remember that 93% of the world is outside the EU.”