The UK cider group, Merrydown, has said that it anticipates full-year earnings in line with market forecasts.

The company said that its Shloer brand had produced record sales in the Christmas period and has continued to show strong double-digit growth for the year to the end of March. Merrydown’s long-term strategy is to build the Shloer brand through advertising and product development.

The company, which publishes its full-year results on May 22, said the cider business had remained profitable and cash generative during the second half in spite of difficult market conditions.