Blackcurrants and Redcurrants Licensing
The James Hutton Institute Scientific Service breed both redcurrants and blackcurrants that meet today’s fresh market needs with high-quality, nutritious and great-tasting varieties.
The James Hutton Institute Scientific Services has a dedicated team of breeders who collaborate closely with both industry and research academics. With a successful blackcurrant breeding programme for the processing market, we develop varieties for the very known UK cordial brand RibenaTM. Our Blackcurrants reflect their Scottish origins, by proudly featuring the prefix “Ben” in their names.
Revolutionising Currants – better taste, yield, and versatility
The blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a deciduous shrub from the Grossulariaceae family that thrives in temperate regions. Known for its rich, deeply coloured fruit, blackcurrants are primarily used in processing to create a wide range of products that are not only delicious but also packed with high vitamin C content, antioxidant compounds and other essential nutrients for health and wellbeing.
The redcurrant (Ribes rubrum), also part of the Grossulariaceae family is known for its beautiful bright berries of different red shades and its characteristic flavour, which are utilised in many recipes. While traditionally used as a garnish or condiment, these highly nutritional berries are now being bred to emerge as the new generation of refreshing, snackable fruits.
Our experienced breeding team collaborates closely with industry partners to create varieties that meet the evolving needs of growers, consumers, and the market. We offer tailored breeding programmes that deliver the desired qualities for our partners, including bespoke crosses and proprietary germplasm. Our flexible breeding solutions cater to a wide range of requirements to deliver advanced main crop and niche varieties.
Eleanor Gilory, Commercialisation and Licensing Manager
We are committed to breeding blackcurrant and redcurrant varieties that excel not only in processing but also in taste and versatility.
At James Hutton Institute Scientific Services, we benefit from direct access to the expertise and facilities of The James Hutton Institute, including a unique Ribes germplasm collection comprising of old varieties and Ribes species, and a high-health facility. By incorporating cutting-edge technology and innovative breeding techniques, we are at the forefront of advancing blackcurrant and redcurrant breeding. Since 1956, James Hutton Limited and its predecessors have developed more than 29 commercial blackcurrant varieties, many of which are now staples in the processing industry. We are focused on developing highly productive varieties that combine climate resilience, good resistance to the main pests and diseases, and great fruit quality for the various markets
Currently, we have 7 blackcurrant varieties exclusively licensed to Ribena growers, and four additional varieties available for licensing with more black, red and white currants in development to meet the growing global demand.
| Blackcurrant | Licence Availability |
| Ben Dorain | Exclusive to Ribena growers |
| Ben Klibreck | |
| Ben Lawers | |
| Ben Starav | |
| Ben Macdui | |
| Ben Vane | |
| Ben Lui | |
| Ben Finlay | Licences available |
For more information contact: licensing@huttonltd.com
Contact for more information
Dr Eleanor Gilroy
Commercialisation and Licensing Manager
Based in Dundee
T: +44 (0)1382568827
- BSc Genetics (Hons) (1997-2001) Edinburgh University
- PhD Molecular Plant Pathology (2001-2005) Edinburgh University/SCRI
- Researcher specializing in plant immune responses to Phytophthora diseases affecting potato and raspberries (2005- 2024) SCRI/James Hutton Institute
- Published 32 papers (with 6 in preparation)
- Google Scholar h-index=31
- Commercialisation and Licensing Manager in James Hutton Limited the trade mark name for James Hutton Institute Scientific Services (2024- present)
