The Can Makers, the industry trade body representing the UK manufacturers of drinks cans, said there was a 7.1% increase across the UK drinks can markets, as the economy rose together with a warm spring and a summer of sport, particularly the football World Cup.
Beer and cider can deliveries reached 2.278 billion, growth of 8.2% and an increase of over 170m units.
According to Nielsen, beer and cider sales in cans grew by 9% in the six months to June.
Cider in cans performed particularly well, increasing by 17% compared to 2013, while lager cans grew 9%.
Soft drink can deliveries increased to 2.557bn, up 6.0% and 145m units compared to the same period last year.
Other figures showed carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) in cans grew by 4.9% in the first half of 2014, ahead of the CSD market. All can sizes enjoyed growth, led by energy drinks, where large cans are up by 23.1%, on top of the 18% over the same period last year.
Graham Fenton, chairman of the UK Can Makers, said: "The UK beverage can market continues to perform well, with higher growth in the first half of 2014 than any similar period in the past decade. This is no doubt boosted by the UK's economic growth, good weather, sporting interest and increased marketing support around events like the World Cup."
