The Cider Crisis: How UK Supermarkets Use Tax Loopholes to Sell Cheap Alcohol
Recent revelations have ignited a fiery debate about the ethics of UK supermarkets like Tesco, Aldi, and Lidl profiting at the expense of public health. They are exploiting a tax loophole to offer cider at astonishingly low prices, raising alarming concerns among alcohol campaigners. Let’s delve into the details of this troubling phenomenon.
Cider: A Double-Edged Sword
The Rise of Low-Cost High-Alcohol Ciders
In recent years, cider prices have paradoxically fallen or stagnated, even as the costs of beer, wine, and spirits have surged. This unsettling trend is outlined in research conducted by Alcohol Change UK. According to their findings, some ciders now contain alcohol levels as high as 7.5%, yet are being sold at pocket-money prices.
How Do They Do It?
The secret lies in a subsidy designed to promote apple production. Supermarkets are leveraging this tax break to sell high-strength ciders at prices that would send alarm bells ringing in normal markets. This loophole enables them to keep costs low in England and Northern Ireland, while prices differ in Scotland and Wales due to their minimum unit pricing policies.
Pricing Discrepancies: A Cause for Concern
Unbelievable Price Comparisons
Take Tesco’s Compton Orchard cider, which is 4% alcohol by volume (ABV). It retails for just £1 per litre, the same price as the supermarket’s own-brand apple juice. In a shocking turn of events, the price of apple juice has surged by 70% since 2020, while the cheapest cider has actually become 2.4% cheaper.
A strong contender in this budget-friendly arena is Frosty Jack’s, which remains priced at £5.15 for a 2.5-litre bottle, a mere 5.3% increase since 2020. This is particularly alarming given that inflation has escalated by 26% during the same period!
The Societal Impact: Is Cheap Alcohol Worth the Cost?
Health and Social Ramifications
Alcohol campaigners argue that these low prices contribute significantly to social problems and burden healthcare services. Ash Singleton, director of research and public affairs at Alcohol Change UK, warns, “The drive for profit in low-class neighborhoods comes with dire consequences, from increased pressure on the NHS to early deaths.”
Costs attributed to drinking-related incidents are shouldered by vulnerable communities, heightening the argument that the super-strength subsidy should be eliminated.
“It is unacceptable that the alcohol industry continues to push the cost of harm onto communities while cashing in on tax breaks.”, Singleton adds, urging for urgent policy reform.
Responses from Supermarkets and Authorities
In response to the ongoing scrutiny, the British Retail Consortium, representing supermarkets, defends their practices. A spokesperson stated that supermarkets are committed to helping customers drink responsibly, emphasizing their collaborations with health organizations to provide clear information about alcohol consumption.
Tesco insists that they comply with all UK pricing regulations and characterize their cider offerings as low in strength, making them comparable to regular lagers.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
The exploitative practices of UK supermarkets concerning cider sales raise pressing ethical questions about corporate responsibility and public health. While consumers may revel in low prices, the hidden costs borne by communities cannot be ignored.
It’s time for policymakers to close these loopholes, ensuring that everyone pays their fair share and prioritizing the well-being of public health over corporate profits. As this crisis unfolds, it remains crucial for consumers and citizens alike to stay informed and advocate for change.
For further insights on health policies regarding alcohol, check out the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
This article was updated on June 7, 2025, to reflect the differing alcohol pricing regulations in Scotland and Wales.
