Berry tough: Ribena seeks to make hardier blackcurrants to beat extreme weather
News Source
β’Fri, 17 Jul 2026 17:08:07 GMT
π° What Happened
The owner of Ribena is spending 200,000 pounds to make blackcurrant bushes tougher. Extreme weather has hurt the UK blackcurrant harvest. This year's crop is expected to be 10% below normal, which is about 10,000 tonnes.
The weather problems started with one of the wettest winters on record. That made it hard for farmers to prune and weed. Then spring brought frost and hail. Summer heatwaves caused some berries to drop off early. The lack of rain is also making the remaining fruit smaller.
The money will go toward research on how to help blackcurrant bushes handle stress better. Other crops like strawberries, potatoes, and wheat are also struggling with the weather.
π The Backstory
Blackcurrants are the main ingredient in Ribena, a popular UK drink brand. The fruit has been grown in Britain for over 100 years. Most of the world's blackcurrants are grown in the UK, Poland, and New Zealand.
Climate change is making farming harder everywhere. Britain is seeing more extreme weather patterns. Wet winters followed by dry summers are becoming normal. Farmers have to adapt or lose their crops.
This is not just about Ribena. It shows a bigger problem for food production. If farmers cannot grow enough fruit, prices go up. Companies may have to change their recipes or import from other countries. That costs more and uses more fuel.
π― Why It Matters
Climate change affects the food you eat. If blackcurrants are harder to grow, Ribena could cost more or taste different. This applies to many foods you buy at the grocery store.
The owner of Ribena is spending 200,000 pounds to make blackcurrant bushes tougher. Extreme weather has hurt the UK blackcurrant harvest. This year's crop is expected to be 10% below normal, which is about 10,000 tonnes.
The weather problems started with one of the wettest winters on record. That made it hard for farmers to prune and weed. Then spring brought frost and hail. Summer heatwaves caused some berries to drop off early. The lack of rain is also making the remaining fruit smaller.
The money will go toward research on how to help blackcurrant bushes handle stress better. Other crops like strawberries, potatoes, and wheat are also struggling with the weather.
Blackcurrants are the main ingredient in Ribena, a popular UK drink brand. The fruit has been grown in Britain for over 100 years. Most of the world's blackcurrants are grown in the UK, Poland, and New Zealand.
Climate change is making farming harder everywhere. Britain is seeing more extreme weather patterns. Wet winters followed by dry summers are becoming normal. Farmers have to adapt or lose their crops.
This is not just about Ribena. It shows a bigger problem for food production. If farmers cannot grow enough fruit, prices go up. Companies may have to change their recipes or import from other countries. That costs more and uses more fuel.
Climate change affects the food you eat. If blackcurrants are harder to grow, Ribena could cost more or taste different. This applies to many foods you buy at the grocery store.