Somerset’s cherished cider industry is facing significant challenges this summer as drought and prolonged heatwaves threaten apple yields. Toby Fry, director of Harry’s Cider Company near Langport, anticipates a 20-30 per cent reduction in apple harvest this year compared to earlier forecasts.
“The overall yield is going to be down because we need rain for things to grow,” Fry told Somerset Live. Despite this, cider makers like Fry are prioritising quality over quantity, focusing on producing the best possible cider rather than a larger volume. “If we were just growers, we would be incredibly worried,” he added.
Cider production is an integral part of Somerset’s economy and cultural heritage, with numerous orchards spanning the county-from Sheppy’s Cider in the south to Thatchers in the north. Annual cider festivals celebrate this iconic local tradition.
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Economically, cider is significant; Thatchers reports that the industry generates £2.7 billion and supports over 65,000 jobs annually. Although Thatchers has not yet commented on the current season, it previously celebrated the hot summer of 2025 for yielding an early, bumper harvest.
Historically, Somerset’s warm and wet climate has been ideal for apple cultivation. However, climate change presents growing challenges. The region, along with much of the West Country and England, is officially in a drought. Insufficient rainfall, combined with record-breaking temperatures-this summer marks the UK’s fifth heatwave and potentially the hottest on record-places apple orchards under considerable stress, resulting in lower fruit yields.
Irrigation is largely not a viable solution for most farmers. Fry explains that watering would require “tens of thousands of litres of water,” and many farms, including his own, lack the necessary irrigation equipment.
Fry advocates for government support in the form of tax relief to help sustain the cider industry, stating, “You can’t do anything about the climate, can you? But we can always ask for less tax on cider. The government needs to realise cider is a heritage industry. They need to realise there’s a home market as well as an overseas market.”
Similar challenges are observed beyond Somerset. In Kent, Clive Baxter of Amsbury Farm has been coating Bramley apples with clay for six years to prevent them from cooking on the tree, a practice driven by changing climate conditions.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) acknowledged the difficulties faced by farmers this summer, noting the impact of dry conditions on grass growth, forage availability, crops, and water supplies. Additionally, farmers are coping with increased fertiliser and fuel costs, attributed to the Middle East conflict. DEFRA stated, “We are looking at how we can support farmers through this prolonged dry weather and hope to be able to say more on this soon, alongside how we’re building greater long-term resilience to climate shocks.”
There is a glimmer of optimism amid the uncertainty: while apple yields suffer, pear harvests look promising. Pear trees, which thrive in sand-based soil that retains moisture better than the clay soils preferred by apples, show resilience in drier conditions.
For now, Somerset’s iconic cider industry faces uncertainty as it grapples with the realities of climate change. The future of this historic sector-and how it adapts to ongoing environmental challenges-remains to be seen.