Berry tough: Ribena seeks to make hardier blackcurrants to beat extreme weather

200,000 investment comes after harvests in Britain hit by wet winter, spring frost and hail, then heatwaves

The owner of Ribena is to invest 200,000 in helping blackcurrant bushes withstand stress after extreme weather put a squeeze on this year's UK harvest.

That harvest is now under way in the berry's main growing regions including East Anglia, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Kent and Scotland. It is expected to be about 10% below the average of 10,000 tonnes, as the climate crisis drives extreme weather across Britain and elsewhere.