Ribena producer Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I arranges meeting in Westminster
Ribena producer Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has brought together MPs and their local blackcurrant growers to discuss how to boost productivity and sustainability in the sector.
This week’s event was billed as an opportunity to talk through challenges, as well as opportunities for innovation and investment.
The reception in Parliament showcased the findings of the latest Ribena blackcurrant growers’ survey, which highlights the industry’s resilience and the areas in which government support is needed to overcome climate and economic pressure.
With over 90 per cent of all British-grown blackcurrants being used to make Ribena, SBF GB&I said ensuring the long-term viability of the environments they grow in is a priority.
Challenges of weather
The survey indicated that 93 per cent of growers identify 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.
Despite the hurdles, growers are embracing new technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability, the drinks producer said. Nearly two-thirds are adopting advanced data-management systems, over half are using robotics and automation, and 40 per cent are investing in renewable energy solutions.
Elise Seibold, chief operating officer at SBF GB&I, said: “Our blackcurrant growers’ survey is an invaluable tool for understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the community of growers behind every bottle of Ribena.
”Working closely with MPs and policymakers enables us to invest in innovative technologies and practices that enhance the farms we work with while safeguarding the environment we all live and work in. It’s a key part of our company value of Growing for Good, which guides everything we do at SBF GB&I.”
Growers also used the reception as an opportunity to urge the government to take action to secure the future of the blackcurrant industry by backing innovation and R&D, reforming funding streams, and improving access to grants.
