Suntory invests US$14.5M in new blackcurrant processing facility
The new Herefordshire facility will support British blackcurrant growers, create local jobs and enhance fruit processing capacity for Ribena production.
UK – Suntory Beverage & Food (SBF) GB&I has invested £14.5 million (US$16.48M) in a new blackcurrant processing facility in Herefordshire, reinforcing its UK supply chain and supporting the long-term production of Ribena, one of the country’s best-known soft drink brands.
Developed in partnership with Döhler Group’s Bevisol, the facility is located at Bevisol’s newly established site in Ledbury, Herefordshire. The plant is operational in time for the 2026 blackcurrant harvest and will process fruit supplied by SBF GB&I’s network of British growers.
The new site is strategically positioned close to key blackcurrant-growing regions and the company’s manufacturing operations. It will serve as a dedicated centre for fruit preparation before the berries are pressed and concentrated for use in Ribena products.
Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director at SBF GB&I, described the investment as “a huge milestone” for the company, Ribena and the wider British blackcurrant sector.
“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,” Ottomar said.
The facility incorporates advanced processing technologies, including evaporators powered by vapour recompression technology, cleanable membrane filtration systems, automated weighing and handling equipment, and digital smart-tag tracking for fruit bins. These technologies are designed to improve efficiency, traceability and visibility throughout the supply chain.
UK Farming Minister Stephen Morgan welcomed the investment, describing the project as “a vote of confidence in British farming.”
He added that investments in modern processing technologies and greener production methods can help strengthen domestic supply chains while supporting employment in rural communities.
SBF GB&I sources approximately 10,500 tonnes of blackcurrants annually from 33 farms across five growing regions in the UK. The harvest takes place over a six-week period each year.
The company said the new facility is expected to support 12 full-time positions and create an additional 30 seasonal jobs in the region.
Gero Spika, Global Account Director at Döhler, said the project demonstrates the strength of the partnership between the two companies.
“This project strengthens our global partnership with Suntory while reflecting our shared commitment to enhancing local production capabilities, supporting jobs in the region and contributing to the long-term future of British blackcurrant farming,” he said.
The investment forms part of SBF GB&I’s wider £57.5 million UK supply chain programme, which also includes manufacturing upgrades, emissions reduction initiatives and a planned £25 million production line scheduled for installation in 2027.
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