News summary produced by Claude AI
The manufacturer of Ribena is committing £200,000 toward research aimed at strengthening blackcurrant plants against climate-related stressors following a challenging growing season. The current harvest, taking place across major production regions including East Anglia, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Kent and Scotland, is projected to fall approximately 10% below the typical yield of 10,000 tonnes.
Crops have faced multiple environmental pressures throughout the growing cycle. Growers reported that unusually wet winter conditions delayed essential maintenance tasks such as pruning and weeding, while spring brought localized frosts and hail damage. Summer months brought intense heat waves in June and July that caused fruit scorching and premature drop, alongside insufficient rainfall in many areas that is producing smaller berries. The harvest is expected to conclude in early August.
Other soft fruit varieties have experienced mixed outcomes from the same weather patterns, with blueberries and grapes benefiting from elevated temperatures while strawberries face potential stress-related challenges. Broader agricultural sectors including leafy vegetables, potatoes, wheat and barley are also expected to be affected by the hot, dry conditions. A similar pattern emerged during the previous year, when prolonged drought and heat caused berries to mature two weeks earlier than normal.
The investment initiative involves collaboration between Suntory Beverage & Food, which owns Ribena, the Blackcurrant Foundation trade association, and the National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Research efforts will focus on soil health improvements and the development of more resilient blackcurrant varieties adapted to changing climate conditions. A research program at East Malling in Kent will examine how organic soil amendments—including wool, treated manures and green waste—can enhance soil moisture retention and nutrient cycling to strengthen plant resilience and yield quality across UK blackcurrant production.