Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is investing £14.5m in a new blackcurrant processing facility in Herefordshire as it looks to strengthen the UK supply chain behind Ribena.

Developed in partnership with Bevisol Ltd, the food and drink manufacturer said the Ledbury site will be operational in time for this year’s blackcurrant harvest, and will process fruit sourced from the company’s network of 33 British growers.

The investment brings a key stage of Ribena production closer to both growing regions and the company’s manufacturing base, while introducing new processing and traceability technology.

Suntory Beverage & Food supply chain director Karl Ottomar said: “This is a huge milestone for SBF GB&I, Ribena and the future of British blackcurrant production.

“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 project is expected to create 12 permanent jobs and 30 seasonal roles in the region. It comes as part of the government’s farming innovation programme, which pledges to invest at least £200m by 2030 to help farmers, food producers and build resistance in the food system.

Farming minister Stephen Morgan added: “This investment is a vote of confidence in British farming and the generations of blackcurrant growers whose fruit has helped make Ribena a household name.”

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