A FIFTH generation apple grower in Armagh has secured a major deal to export cider to Italy.
Greg MacNeice's family has been growing apples at Ardress since 1855 and the crop is now used to make MacIvors traditional dry and medium ciders.
Mr MacNeice is already sending produce to Denmark but said demand for craft cider was growing across the continent.
He has also produced a new MacIvors plum and ginger drink and has plans to target the United States later this year.
"I am delighted to announce we have struck a deal with a major distributor in Rome which will greatly expand our export sales in Europe," he said.
"This is a very encouraging development for a County Armagh product securing its place in the international marketplace. The interest in MacIvors traditional dry and medium ciders is increasing because Europe is fast becoming a market for premium Irish ciders.
"MacIvors is committed to crafting high quality and great tasting cider and demand is showing a new generation of consumers in Europe and America who want to drink ciders which are of high quality and full of heritage.
"All of our ciders, including our latest cider, Plum and Ginger, are produced here at our orchards which date back to 1855. We currently employ six full-time staff at our orchards at Ardress and we are hopeful the distributor deal will dramatically increase our sales in Europe which will lead to further job creation here in County Armagh."
The family owned and managed company has won a series of national and international awards for its products including a gold medal and overall Champion Cider at the 2015 International Brewing Awards.
In the past four years, MacIvors Cider Co has produced 420,000 litres which is just shy of one million bottles.
