Estonian Rural Tourism Organization as a member is representing the brand Baltic Cider in Australia.
WHAT IS IT?
BALT-FIN-CIDER is a joint initiative aimed to launch the export of craft apple cider produced in Latvia, Estonia and Finland to Australia under a joint Baltic Cider brand. The Baltic Cider initiative is supported by key organizations dedicated to promoting rural tourism and sustainable development in the Baltic region: Estonian Rural Tourism Organization and Latvian Country Tourism Association. The project is co-funded by Interreg Central Baltic Programme, LIAA.
WHAT IS BALTIC CIDER?
Baltic Cider currently brings together 18 passionate makers from Latvia, Estonia and Finland. Each one contributes their own skills and creativity, resulting in a vibrant mix of cider styles and flavours.
The ciders are crafted with pride from freshly pressed local apples and other natural ingredients, never from concentrate and always free from artificial additives. The crisp refreshing style is so unique that you don’t really get elsewhere.
EXPORT MISSION IN OCTOBER 2025
From 19 October to 1 November, the first Baltic Cider trade mission took place in Australia, promoting authentic apple cider from Estonia, Latvia and Finland.
The Australian Cider Awards competition – a launch platform for market entry
At the prestigious Australian Cider Awards competition, the following cider makers represented:
- Estonia: Tori Siidritalu, KODAS and Jaanihanso Siidrivabrik
- Latvia: Mr. Plūme, Tālava, Mūrbūdu, Abuls, Sabiles Sidrs, Abavas, Pienjāņi, Herbsts, Turkalnes Muiža and Lauskis
- Finland: Lepola, Pirula, Hallonmäen and Vaski Cider
The competition annually brings together not only the best cider producers but also beverage trade representatives – wholesalers, retailers, restaurants and other potential distributors – providing participants with valuable market contacts and media visibility.
Among 231 ciders entered in 44 categories, the Baltic ciders collectively won 27 medals: 1 gold, 10 silver, and 16 bronze.
Information about all the medal winners is published on the Baltic Cider website at Baltic Cider News & Events.
Baltic Cider masterclasses for cider distributors
In Melbourne (20 October) and Sydney (30 October), special masterclasses with tastings were held for potential cider distributors and other professionals. The sessions were led by Gabe Cook, from the United Kingdom – the Ciderologist and respected authority in the international cider world – who introduced attendees to the unique qualities of Baltic ciders.
The cool Baltic climate and the naturally sharp or bitter apple varieties – often considered “non-edible” – are key to the crisp, sparkling flavour of our ciders. Such ciders cannot be produced in Australia, where the warmer climate and sweet eating apples dominate. This difference gives Baltic ciders a competitive potential.
Each masterclass gathered around 20–30 participants and provided valuable contacts for our cider makers to establish collaborations with distributors, importers, restaurant and shop owners.
Cider presentations at Latvian and Estonian community centres
What better way to enter a new market than by starting with your own community? The tasting events turned into friendly gatherings, filled with stories about cider culture, the Baltic lifestyle, and travel in our region, as well as the exchange of contacts.
Exploring Australian cideries
During the journey from Melbourne to Sydney, the Baltic Cider team visited several Australian cideries with impressive orchards. In many of them, cider production is closely linked to tourism, which forms a significant part of their income.
Many cideries offer guided tours and tastings, opportunities for visitors to take part in apple picking, and also run their own taprooms and cafés. They often feature small farm shops selling their own and other local products – from jams and honey to crafts and regional delicacies. Visitors may also meet friendly farm animals – a charming highlight for families with children. Baltic cider makers returned home inspired, with new ideas and a deeper understanding of Australian cider culture and consumer preferences.
Next steps
Baltic Cider will continue to build on the established connections and promote our ciders in Australia, including participation in cider and beer festivals next spring – the autumn apple harvest season in the Southern Hemisphere.
They also plan to take part in ProWine Singapore, an international beverage exhibition that includes a dedicated section for ciders and perries, enabling producers from around the world to present their products to industry professionals and distributors across Asia and the nearby Australian market.
FOLLOW THE BALTIC CIDER JOURNEY
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Estonian Rural Tourism Organization
Contact
Liisa Pobul liisa.pobul@maaturism.ee, Product Development & Communications