British blackcurrant growers call on MPs to support investment in innovation and sustainability
Over 30 parliamentarians met with the UK’s blackcurrant growers at the Ribena Blackcurrant Growers’ reception last week, where the Minister for Farming gave an overview of the opportunities for the industry while listening to some of the challenges growers face ahead of the harvest season.
The annual reception brought together blackcurrant growers from across the country to meet with MPs and Peers to discuss the vital role their industry has played in British food and drink heritage. They also shared a range of ways the government can support them to drive greater innovation and investment on farms.
Specifically, the growers are urging the government to take action to secure the long-term future of the blackcurrant industry by:
- Backing innovation and R&D: Flexible funding and support for new technologies are crucial to maintaining competitiveness.
- Reforming funding streams: Enhancements to the Sustainable Farming Incentive could make it more accessible to growers.
- Improving access to grants: Support for new equipment, technology, and skills development is needed to drive sustainability and growth.
These measures would help farmers navigate a range of challenges, from the continued impact of climate change to economic pressures such as high inflation and labour shortages.
Each of these solutions arose from our second annual survey of the 34 blackcurrant growers that help us at Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) produce Ribena for millions of families to enjoy.
Ribena uses blackcurrants solely sourced from UK farms, and this group of farmers is responsible for over 90 per cent of the British blackcurrant crop and thousands of acres of land across the country.
An innovative and resilient industry
The survey showed how nearly all (93 per cent) of the growers see adverse weather conditions as a primary concern, with three-quarters expecting extreme weather to have the greatest impact on their businesses in the next five to 10 years. Increasingly unpredictable conditions, from hotter summers to milder winters, are affecting harvests and long-term planning.
While economic pressures have marginally eased since 2023, high inflation remains a concern, with 29 per cent of the growers still reporting difficulties from rising costs.
Faced with these hurdles, growers continue to embrace and invest in new technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability.
- Nearly two-thirds of growers are investing in advanced data management systems to improve decision making and operational efficiency.
- Over half of the growers are adopting automation and robotics to address labour shortages and increase productivity.
- Half of the growers are implementing smart irrigation and fertilisation systems to optimise resource use and improve crop yields.
- Nearly half of the growers are investing in renewable energy solutions to reduce carbon footprints and enhance sustainability.
These results are brought to life through a range of incredible projects run by our growers. From embedding SBF GB&I’s Six Point Plan for enhancing biodiversity and using AI to monitor bird populations, to implementing regenerative practices and renewable technologies, they’re delivering for the rural economy and the environment.
Setting the right conditions for investment and innovation
We are grateful for the continued support from MPs for these blackcurrant growers but, as our findings illustrate, more can be done. We urge all parliamentarians to work with us to help tackle some of the challenges faced by blackcurrant growers and be a champion for British agriculture in Parliament.
This opportunity for collaboration was summarised at the reception by SBF GB&I Chief Operating Officer, Elise Seibold. She explained that:
“With the help of policymakers, businesses like ours can support farmers to invest in new equipment, technologies and skills that help promote food security and the journey to net zero.
“By providing this industry with a stable policy environment, without any surprises, while improving access to grants and funding streams, we can all ensure the industry thrives and families can continue to enjoy Ribena long into the future.”
We are confident that by working together, we can secure the future of British blackcurrant farming. This will both support many rural communities and economies, and also ensure that we can continue to produce the delicious Ribena that our consumers love for generations to come.
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