Eastern Skåne – a hub for Swedish cider production

Ninety percent of Swedish apples are grown in eastern Skåne, so of course the area will become a hub for Swedish cider production!

The project aimed to promote knowledge about artisanal cider production in Sweden, especially for commercial producers. By providing training and practical tools, the aim was to strengthen the quality of cider production, promote new entrepreneurship and create more jobs in eastern Skåne. The project also wanted to position eastern Skåne as a central cider destination in Sweden and develop collaborations within the tourism industry.

The project included several activities:

• A five-day cider course in Kivik with 16 participants, led by cider experts from Sweden, France and the USA. The course combined theoretical and practical teaching.
• A comprehensive toolbox with fact sheets about cider production was created and published in both Swedish and English.
• A pilot study on a cider and mouse route in Österlen was conducted, with support from a reference group and study visits to Norway.
• A knowledge-raising event for restaurateurs and traders was held at Skepparps winery, which included cider tasting and lectures.
• Information meetings for apple growers were arranged to highlight the market potential and need for high-quality cider apples.

The project resulted in a solid cider course and an academic toolbox, which lowered the threshold for establishing and operating small-scale cider production in Sweden. The course led to new networks within the industry, increased the participants' knowledge and laid the foundation for future training. Awareness of cider and its gastronomic potential increased locally, which strengthens the region's tourism industry. The pilot study on the cider and must route has the potential to be developed further in 2025. In the long term, the project is expected to lead to increased quality of Swedish cider, more successful cider companies and a stronger connection between cider production and tourism.

The project, with the start of a new education, contributes to the further development and supports the establishment of qualified cider producers in eastern Skåne. This in turn leads to better profitability for both companies and the tourism industry and can also mean an important reason to travel as an added value for the destination.