Ribena Owner Invests Nearly £1 Million to Future-Proof Blackcurrant Crops
Suntory Beverage & Food Great Britain and Ireland (SBF GB&I), the company behind Ribena, has announced a significant £920,000 investment over the next five years to safeguard the future of British blackcurrants.
The funding will accelerate its long-standing blackcurrant breeding programme with the James Hutton Institute, focusing on creating new berry varieties resilient to the challenges of climate change.
Tackling Climate Extremes
The urgency for innovation comes as UK growers face increasingly erratic weather. June 2025 brought more sunshine than the entirety of the previous year, leaving many farms struggling with severe water stress.
Such extremes threaten the consistency and quality of blackcurrant yields, putting both farmers’ livelihoods and Ribena’s supply chain at risk.
The breeding programme aims to develop berries capable of withstanding these conditions, ensuring that crops remain reliable even in the face of prolonged drought, intense heat, or unpredictable seasonal shifts.
Fighting Pests and Diseases Naturally
Beyond climate resilience, the initiative will target resistance to major field pests and diseases that impact blackcurrant production.
By using molecular markers developed at the James Hutton Institute, plant breeders can now identify resistant varieties early in the process. This innovation reduces the need for chemical pesticides, supporting both environmental goals and sustainable farming practices.
Protecting Flavour and Nutrition
While resilience is the priority, SBF GB&I remains committed to preserving the signature taste that has made Ribena a household favourite.
Every potential new berry will undergo rigorous flavour and nutritional testing, ensuring that the distinctive Ribena profile is retained – and potentially enhanced – with added health benefits.
Industry Leaders Speak Out
An agronomist at SBF GB&I underscored the importance of the investment, commenting that this season’s weather extremes have shown that investment in fruit varietal breeding is vital to protect the future of both the blackcurrant crop and the growers who depend on it.
Furthermore, they look forward to working with the James Hutton Institute to make sure Ribena remains a beloved British favourite for generations to come.
The James Hutton Institute’s soft fruit breeder echoed this sentiment, expressing that they are strongly committed to developing a new generation of blackcurrant varieties that can thrive in the United Kingdom while adapting to challenges posed by climate change and pest pressures.
This work offers greater security and long-term sustainability to their growers and to the industry. It is a great pleasure to contribute to a fruitful future for British blackcurrant production.
A Fruitful Future for British Blackcurrants
With climate change bringing unprecedented challenges to British agriculture, SBF GB&I’s partnership with the James Hutton Institute signals a proactive approach to protecting both a national crop and an iconic brand.
By blending cutting-edge science with the tradition of British farming, the project aims to ensure that Ribena continues to deliver its signature taste – and the livelihoods of those who grow it – for decades to come.
News Credits: Ribena owner investing close to £1M into berry resilience
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