It’s an issue that has become a major focus for consumers and producers alike. Clinton Cawood looks at how the sector is getting its message across If a sustainability initiative is implemented in an orchard and no one posts about it on Instagram, fortunately it still benefits the environment. But in an age when sustainability is increasingly important to retailers and consumers alike,…

With media hype that digital tools like ChatGPT could take artificial intelligence mainstream, we wanted to find out what it could mean for drinks producers and retailers.  As AI is more widely adopted and becomes more proficient, will it be a help or a hindrance? We ask three experts about how robots measure up against makers and marketers, and analyse the latest market data…

Many conversations at this week’s Prowein turned to the latest UK duty announcement, as the wine trade braces for a double whammy of duty reform and inflation-related tax increases. As part of the latest budget, the government said that duty rates on alcohol will increase in line with the retail price index on August 1, coinciding with the introduction of a new…

The March 1 deadline for producers to register for Scotland’s deposit return scheme (DRS) has been scrapped. Scheme administrator Circularity Scotland said today that registration will remain open to allow remaining producers to complete the process. It was not immediately clear when the new deadline will be. “SEPA, the scheme’s regulator has confirmed registration will remain open to enable all producers to sign up in…

Circularity Scotland has announced a £22 million support package for Scottish drinks producers ahead of the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) later this year. Producers currently have until March 1 to register their products for the scheme. However, after smaller producers voiced concerns over the cost of the scheme, Circularity Scotland established the support package in a move to lessen…

Entries for the International Cider Challenge (ICC) 2023 will close on March 3. With the aim of platforming the cider industry, the competition is open to cider producers from any part of the world.  Ciders entered into the tasting categories will be blind tasted by a panel of independent judges, while those entered into the design and packaging awards will be judged against a set…

Small producers in Scotland do not have the means to meet the current deadlines for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), according to a group of trade associations. The Scottish Wholesale Association, the Society of Independent Brewers, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, the Scotch Whisky Association and Scotland Food & Drink have warned that without changes by the government to give small producers a legal…