Ribena Owner Invests £200,000 in Climate-Resilient Blackcurrants

Suntory, the owner of the Ribena brand, announced an investment of £200,000 to enhance the resilience of blackcurrant bushes against extreme weather conditions. This initiative follows a challenging harvest season in the UK, which experienced a combination of adverse weather events including a wet winter, spring frost, hail, and subsequent heatwaves. These conditions have significantly impacted the yield of blackcurrants, a key ingredient for Ribena.

The current UK blackcurrant harvest is projected to be approximately 10% lower than the average of 10,000 tonnes. This reduction is attributed to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which are a consequence of the climate crisis. The investment aims to support research and development into new blackcurrant varieties that are better equipped to tolerate such stressful environmental factors. The primary growing regions for blackcurrants in the UK include East Anglia, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Kent, as well as Scotland.

This strategic investment by Suntory underscores the growing concern within the agricultural sector regarding the impact of climate change on crop production. By focusing on climate-resilient crops, the company seeks to ensure a more stable and sustainable supply chain for its popular beverage, Ribena. The development of hardier blackcurrant varieties is crucial for maintaining production levels and mitigating the economic effects of unpredictable weather patterns on harvests.