The UK has an anticipated yield of over 11,600 tonnes this year
The UK blackcurrant harvest this summer has delivered a stronger yield than expected, despite another difficult growing season with recent periods of unfavourable weather.
According to The Blackcurrant Foundation - which represents 36 growers across the UK – the nation’s blackcurrant crop is now thriving, with an anticipated yield of over 11,600 tonnes this year.
However, British blackcurrant growers once again faced challenging weather patterns in 2024.
For example, one site in Kent recorded an exceptionally wet winter with 1109.6 mm of rain by the end of May.
The warm winter also brought insufficient winter chill for older blackcurrant varieties across most regions, except Scotland.
The foundation says that the groundwork for the 2024 crop was laid in July 2023, when favourable weather allowed the bushes to produce extension growth, which then flowered this year and is included in the current harvest.
Additionally, climate-resilient varieties like Ben Lui and Ben Macdui are being harvested in quantity for the first time this year.
Over 90 per cent of British blackcurrants are destined for Ribena, with a small amount heading to supermarket shelves and other products, including frozen formats and other soft and alcoholic drinks.
Chairperson at the Blackcurrant Foundation, Jo Hilditch, said: “The berries are the biggest I’ve ever seen, high in sugar and ready to go. However, climate change is a serious issue, and the weather earlier this year made it very difficult and sometimes impossible to get our cuttings in the ground.”
Senior category buyer at Suntory GB&I, Simon Hill, commented: “The spring weather was conducive to good growing conditions with plenty of rain, and unlike Europe, we escaped any late frosts, which can damage blossom.
“Warm weather in late May and early June accelerated the fruit ripening, and we started processing earlier than usual. Recent wet weather has affected the fruit sugar but has given very good yields and a heavy crop.”
