Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I), the producer of Ribena and Lucozade, has announced a £14.5 million investment in a new, state-of-the-art blackcurrant processing facility in partnership with Döhler Group’s Herefordshire-based Bevisol Ltd. In operation in time for this year’s blackcurrant harvest, the facility will support the long-term future of British blackcurrant farming through modernised fruit preparation and enhanced processing capability.
Blackcurrants are harvested during the summer before being pressed and concentrated for use in Ribena. The blackcurrants sourced from SBF GB&I’s network of British growers will be prepared at Bevisol’s newly developed facility in Ledbury, Herefordshire, which is located closer to the heart of the growing regions and, closer to SBF GB&I's factory. This investment provides a modern, dedicated facility for this critical stage of production.
“This is a huge milestone for SBF GB&I, Ribena and the future of British blackcurrant production," said Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director. By investing in innovative processing here in the UK, we are supporting our supply chain while continuing to work closely with the farmers who have been at the heart of Ribena for generations.”
The investment builds on SBF GB&I’s long-standing relationship with British blackcurrant growers, who have supplied fruit for Ribena for generations. The company sources blackcurrants from 33 farms across five growing regions in the UK, representing approximately 10,500 tonnes of fruit harvested annually over a six-week period. The project will also support jobs in the region with 12 new full time roles and additional 30 seasonal roles.
First created in 1938, Ribena has been rooted in British blackcurrants for nearly 90 years. Today, the business continues to invest in the future of UK blackcurrant growing, including multi-million pound investments in a blackcurrant breeding programme with the James Hutton Institute and a regenerative agriculture pilot in Norfolk.