After an allowance to sell alcohol straight from the farm, fruit growers in Hardanger experienced a marked increase in sales.
Customers who shop at the farm buy more, NRK reported. Asbjørn Børsheim of ‘Ulvik Fruits & Cideri’ said sales have doubled after he was allowed to sell apple beverages containing more than 4.7 percent alcohol.
‘It has pulled along other goods as well, so we’ve achieved bigger sales overall. The customers include local, Norwegian, and foreign’, said Børsheim.
Customers had previously not understood why they could not purchase from the entire range.
‘They are far more satisfied than before, and aren’t angry anymore’, laughed Børsheim, who believes that strong cider is preferable. ‘Now there are seven farms selling, and I know of several who have plans to start next year’ he said.
‘With six to eight percent alcohol we highlight the best apple flavour’, explained Børsheim, adding that the new rules are currently creating a new industry inside, perhaps, the country’s most famous fruit area.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today
