Ribena owner Suntory Beverage & Food is investing £200,000 to help blackcurrant bushes withstand extreme weather after a challenging season slashed the UK harvest by about 10%. The investment aims to develop hardier blackcurrant varieties that can survive the climate crisis-driven weather extremes affecting Britain's berry growers.
Why extreme weather is squeezing the blackcurrant harvest
This year's blackcurrant harvest, now underway in key growing regions including East Anglia, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Kent, and Scotland, is expected to reach only about 9,000 tonnes—well below the 10,000-tonne average. Growers report that one of the wettest winters on record delayed pruning and weeding, followed by localised frosts and hail in spring. Then heatwaves in June and July caused scorching and premature berry drop.
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The lack of rain in many areas, with little more expected before the harvest finishes in early August, is also producing smaller fruits. Last year, a long period of hot weather and drought caused berry crops to ripen a fortnight earlier than usual, further disrupting supply chains.
How other crops are faring in the heat
Soft fruit growers note that some fruits like blueberries and grapes benefit from extra heat, but strawberries may struggle to last into autumn as overheated plants come under stress. Leafy vegetables, potatoes, wheat, and barley are also likely to be affected by the hot, dry spell. Vegetables requiring lots of water—such as carrots, potatoes, and brassicas—struggled during last year's drought.
| Crop | Impact of Extreme Weather |
|---|---|
| Blackcurrants | 10% harvest drop, smaller fruit, premature dropping |
| Blueberries & Grapes | Benefiting from extra heat |
| Strawberries | Struggling to last into autumn |
| Leafy vegetables, potatoes, wheat, barley | Likely affected by hot, dry spell |
What the £200,000 investment will do
Harriet Prosser, an agronomist at Suntory Beverage & Food, said: “Every year, there seems to be another weather record. Following last year’s drought, growers have experienced one of the wettest winters on record, localised frosts and hail during spring, and now intense summer heat. It has been an exceptionally challenging season for blackcurrant bushes.”
Jo Hilditch, chair of the Blackcurrant Foundation trade association and a grower from Herefordshire, confirmed the group is investing alongside Suntory and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (Niab) to develop blackcurrant varieties that are more resilient to weather stress.
Key takeaways
- Ribena invests £200,000 to develop hardier blackcurrant bushes
- UK blackcurrant harvest expected 10% below average due to extreme weather
- Wettest winter, spring frosts, and summer heatwaves all contributed to crop stress
- Other crops like strawberries, potatoes, and wheat also face challenges
- Climate change is making weather patterns increasingly unpredictable for farmers
FAQ
Why is Ribena investing in hardier blackcurrants?
Ribena owner Suntory is investing £200,000 to develop blackcurrant varieties that can withstand extreme weather events like floods, frosts, and heatwaves, which have reduced this year's UK harvest by about 10%.
How has extreme weather affected the blackcurrant harvest?
The wettest winter on record delayed pruning, followed by spring frosts and hail, then summer heatwaves caused scorching and premature berry drop. The result is a harvest roughly 9,000 tonnes—10% below the 10,000-tonne average.
Which other crops are impacted by the UK's extreme weather?
Blueberries and grapes benefit from extra heat, but strawberries, leafy vegetables, potatoes, wheat, and barley are all struggling. Vegetables that require lots of water, like carrots and brassicas, were hit hard by last year's drought.
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