Food and Drinks Industry 27 Apr – 3 May: Ft Supreme PLC, Carabao and Co-op
- Supreme PLC has signed a major UK licensing deal to manufacture and distribute Carabao’s low-calorie energy and isotonic drinks.
- Co-op is set to become the first UK retailer to switch to 100% British strawberries for the fourth year running.
Two Very Different Deals, One Clear Industry Message
The UK food and drink sector is moving with intent. On one side, Manchester-based Supreme PLC has agreed a significant commercial deal that will see it manufacture and distribute Carabao’s low-calorie energy and isotonic drinks across the United Kingdom.
On the other, Co-op Group is preparing to become the first UK retailer to move to 100% British strawberries for the fourth year running.
At first glance, these announcements sit in different corners of the market. One is about energy drinks, licensing and retail distribution. The other is about fresh produce, British farming and seasonal supply.
Yet both tell a similar story: companies are looking for more control, stronger partnerships and supply chains that can stand up to pressure.
Supreme PLC Takes on Carabao’s UK Growth Push
Supreme PLC, the owner of Typhoo Tea and SlimFast, has signed a lucrative licensing agreement to produce and distribute Carabao’s energy and isotonic drinks across the British market.
Carabao, founded in 2002, is already familiar to many UK consumers through its long-running sponsorship of the English Football League Cup, which began in 2017. The brand also has an existing retail presence, with products stocked by major retailers including Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury’s.
Under the new agreement, Supreme will deal directly with those retail partners as it takes responsibility for manufacturing, product innovation and national distribution.
Carabao’s UK operations will now become part of Supreme PLC’s Drinks & Wellness division, which already includes several well-known consumer brands such as Typhoo Tea, SlimFast and Perfectly Clear flavoured water.
Manufacturing, Innovation and Distribution at the Centre of the Deal
For Supreme, the Carabao deal is not just a distribution arrangement. It plays directly into the company’s vertically integrated model, which spans product development, manufacturing and distribution.
Carabao drinks are set to be produced at Supreme’s soft drinks manufacturing facility, giving the brand access to a local production base and a wider national retail network. Supreme already supplies products to tens of thousands of retail outlets across the UK, placing it in a strong position to build on Carabao’s existing presence.
Supreme’s chief executive described Carabao as a brand with strong heritage, high consumer awareness and a clear identity in the energy drinks category. The company sees the partnership as sitting firmly within its existing strengths, particularly around manufacturing capability, innovation expertise and distribution reach.
The ambition is clear: expand Carabao’s availability, develop new products and make the brand more visible on shelves across the country.
Carabao Backs Supreme’s Local Market Expertise
From Carabao’s side, the appointment of Supreme Imports Limited as official UK distribution partner forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen the brand in Britain.
The managing director of Carabao Group said the business remains fully committed to the UK market and sees Supreme’s local expertise and established network as key advantages. For a global drinks brand looking to grow in a competitive category, having a UK partner with manufacturing and retail infrastructure already in place offers a more direct route to scale.
The energy drinks market remains crowded, but Carabao brings recognition, sporting visibility and a clear low-calorie proposition. Supreme now has the task of turning that awareness into wider retail reach and stronger consumer uptake.
Co-op Moves Early on 100% British Strawberries
While Supreme focuses on drinks, Co-op is making a fresh produce statement of its own. The retailer is set to become the first UK grocer to switch to 100% British strawberries for the fourth year running.
The move means Co-op will source its strawberries exclusively from British farms, despite the natural challenges of the UK growing season. Traditionally, the British strawberry season runs from early May to late September, but retailers and growers have been working to stretch that window through investment and innovation.
For Co-op, the decision forms part of a wider commitment to championing British seasonal produce and supporting growers in building longer-term resilience.
Technology Helping British Growers Extend the Season
The shift to 100% British strawberries has been made possible by investment across the growing sector. Co-op pointed to techniques that protect and advance crops, including the heating of polytunnels during cold nights and wintry days.
Growers have also invested in biomass boilers, which run on sustainable wood, as well as heat exchange pumps and anaerobic digestion plants. These systems have helped reduce reliance on gas and oil, while also mitigating rising fuel costs linked to ongoing global conflicts.
This is a significant point. British seasonal produce is often discussed through the lens of freshness and provenance, but the operational reality is far more complex. Extending the UK season requires infrastructure, energy planning, investment and close coordination between retailers and growers.
Co-op’s 2026 Strawberry Range
Co-op’s 2026 strawberry range will include three variants, with one positioned as a premium option. Prices will start from £2.60.
The retailer’s British strawberries will initially come from growers in Kent, Herefordshire, Chichester and the south west of Wales, with varieties including Eves Delight, Lady Isabella, Lady Emma and BerryWorld Eve.
As the season develops, Co-op plans to widen its sourcing to include Berkshire, Surrey, Lincolnshire, the West Midlands and Scotland, with further varieties such as BerryWorld Joyful, Eves Joy and Lady Grace.
The grocer has also pledged to sell exclusively Scottish-grown strawberries in its Scottish stores once the season is in full swing.
According to Co-op, the percentage of British strawberries being sold this year has nearly doubled compared with last year, with volumes up by 98%.
Supporting British Farming and Food Security
Co-op’s senior buying manager said the retailer is proud to champion homegrown and seasonal fruit and vegetables across its stores, adding that the business works closely with producers and growers to extend the UK season as much as possible.
That comment reflects a wider shift in food retail. British sourcing is no longer just a feel-good label on packaging. It is increasingly tied to food security, supply chain stability, sustainability and customer trust.
For shoppers, 100% British strawberries can mean fresher produce and clearer provenance. For growers, long-term retailer commitments can provide greater confidence to invest in the systems needed to extend production and withstand weather volatility.
Impact on Food Manufacturing and Food Production
Together, the Supreme-Carabao and Co-op strawberry announcements highlight two important directions for food manufacturing and food production.
In drinks manufacturing, Supreme’s agreement with Carabao shows the growing value of localised production, integrated supply chains and direct retail relationships. Rather than relying purely on imported product and fragmented distribution, brands are increasingly looking for partners that can manage production, innovation and logistics under one structure.
In fresh food production, Co-op’s British strawberry commitment shows how investment in growing technology can help stretch seasonal windows and reduce dependence on imported produce.
Polytunnels, renewable heating systems and alternative energy infrastructure are becoming essential tools for growers who want to meet retailer demand while protecting margins.
Both cases point towards a more resilient food and drink industry, where control over production, distribution and sourcing is becoming a competitive advantage.
A Sector Focused on Control, Confidence and Growth
Supreme’s deal with Carabao is about scaling a recognised drinks brand through stronger UK infrastructure. Co-op’s strawberry move is about backing British growers and giving customers a more local fresh produce offer.
Different categories, different supply chains, but the same underlying message: the UK food and drink sector is investing in reliability.
For Supreme, that reliability comes through manufacturing capability, innovation and nationwide retail distribution. For Co-op, it comes through long-term relationships with British growers and technology-led seasonal extension.
Conclusion: A Stronger, Smarter Food and Drink Landscape
The latest moves from Supreme PLC, Carabao and Co-op show a food and drink industry becoming more strategic about how products are made, sourced and delivered.
Supreme’s licensing agreement with Carabao gives the Thai energy drinks brand a stronger platform for UK growth, powered by domestic manufacturing and an established distribution network.
Co-op’s fourth consecutive switch to 100% British strawberries, meanwhile, underlines the retailer’s commitment to seasonal produce, British farming and supply chain resilience.
Together, these developments suggest that the future of the UK food and drink industry will be shaped not just by consumer demand, but by the strength of the systems behind the shelves.
From energy drinks to strawberries, the businesses that can combine strong brands with smarter production and dependable supply chains are likely to be the ones best placed for long-term growth.
News Credits:
Typhoo and SlimFast owner strikes deal to produce and distribute Carabao’s drinks in the UK
Co-op renews pledge to exclusively sell British-grown strawberries
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