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New temporary change for Ontario cideries to sell directly to consumers
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has temporarily removed the requirement for cideries to have five acres of planted fruit in order to qualify for a retail store at their cidery.
May 7, 2020 By Fruit and Vegetable
The Government of Ontario is making it easier for cideries to sell directly to consumers.
Effective immediately, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has temporarily removed the requirement for cideries to have five acres of planted fruit in order to qualify for a retail store at their cidery.
Under this temporary policy change, cideries may qualify for a retail store without having five acres of planted fruit. Manufacturers with an on-site retail store authorized by the AGCO may also sell their products online.
The temporary policy change does not impact exisiting requirements to sell cider. An applicant cidery, according to AGCO, must hold a manufacturer’s licence issued by the registrar and must meet all other applicable eligibility criteria and requirements, including the requirement that the proposed store be located on the same parcel of land as the applicant’s production site.
Interested cideries can apply to the AGCO for an on-site fruit winery retail store authorization through iAGCO, the AGCO’s online portal.
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