why are strawberries so expensive 2021

If you have been to a supermarket recently you have likely noticed the price of strawberries has been pretty inconsistent.

Just a month ago they were selling for $1 a packet, and now they are back up to $3.50, or even $5 depending on which part of the country you are in.

Each year as the weather warms the area producing Australias strawberries switches to farms in cooler climates, like Victoria and Tasmania.

In Western Australia, most of the states strawberry crop in major growing areas near Perth are close to finishing.

Bullsbrook grower and Strawberry Growers Association of WA spokesperson Jamie Michael said gaps in the market had increased prices, providing a much-needed end of season boost for the industry.

“Things are improving a little bit, but its been a very ordinary season for the industry,” he said.

“The thing that is really pulling up prices now is a reduction in supply, so Queensland going offline at the end of the season and the Victorian season not really kicking in as yet.

Mr Michael said next seasons strawberry crop in WA would again be about 25 per cent below average as growers were still concerned about access to markets and labour shortages.

“I think psychologically its really important that growers can see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel coming out of this season, otherwise the thought looking ahead to next year would be quite horrific,” he said.

2021 saw a significant increase in the price of strawberries in European markets due to poor weather conditions affecting crop yield. Strawberries are California’s sixth highest value crop and brought in $1.83 billion in 2019.
why are strawberries so expensive 2021

In India, the selling price was 300 INR/kg in Pune and Mumbai, although the average price was between 150 and 200 INR/kg during the season, depending on the fruits quality. The prolonged monsoon, which resulted in significant rainfall in September and early October, has had a detrimental effect on both fruit quality and productivity, according to Mahabaleshwar growers. As a result, strawberry prices increased by about 100% in comparison to the same period last year.

In 2020, the United States employed 23,280 hundredweights, worth more than $2.2 billion. 4510 tonnes of fresh market strawberries were consumed. Fresh strawberry prices averaged 106 USD/hundredweight. Outside of North America, Mexico is the leading provider of this commodity to the United States, accounting for more than 10% of all strawberries imported in 2020.

According to Procurement Resource, the uncertainty around seasonal variations suggests a mixed market behavior by Strawberries going forward as well.

Although the outbreak had an impact on strawberry prices during Q2 of 2022, overall sales did not suffer much. Early in the season, prices were high, ranging from 200-300 RMB/kg. In the days leading up to and following the Spring Festival, the price of a kilogramme stabilised at 90–120 RMB/kg (15–18 USD/kg).

With a loss of around 100 million USD, the farmers priced Strawberries higher to recover some losses. The situation around Strawberries started improving in the second quarter as the farming and harvesting activities resumed in a more normal manner. Overall, mixed market sentiments were observed.

How did prices get so low in the first place?

The drop in price in late winter was partially caused by the pandemic.

The Victorian and NSW lockdown closed restaurants, cafes and bakeries, and robbed supermarkets of foot traffic.

This combined with a good growing season in winter growing regions Queensland and WA meant there was lots of winter fruit available and no-one to buy it.

why are strawberries so expensive 2021

While that was great for shoppers, it was bad news for the growers.

It got so bad some were forced to kill plants a month early.

The practice of spraying out crops usually only occurs at the end of the growing season and prevents the spread of disease from rotting fruit.

Tasmanian grower Roly Mackinnon is three weeks away from the start of harvest and confident the price will not dip to the levels seen earlier this year.

“I think the oversupply is clearing up a bit. Queensland is starting to phase out. I think its actually bounced back quite well,” he said.

“There are times of the year when the cost of production is more then we get paid. It happens most years, but not for a long period of time.”

why are strawberries so expensive 2021

He said no matter what happens with the price they will keep harvesting.

“We have to pick every second day … well pick it, well put it in a punnet, and well send it to market,” Mr Mackinnon said.

“Theres nothing we can really do about it. We will just continue producing and fingers crossed the consumers get back into the supermarket and start buying some strawberries.

“At the end of the day we just have to keep harvesting and ride out the rough times if they arise.”

why are strawberries so expensive 2021

Selling The World’s Sweetest Strawberries For $50 A Box

FAQ

Why is strawberry so expensive right now?

Demand is high, and supply is low on strawberries right now. “It’s that time of the year. Supply is about 1/4 of what it is when berries are being shipped in the peak summer season,” says Alfredo Ruiz of Naturalar Fresh Inc.

Why is there a strawberry shortage?

The only problem is, where are all the strawberries? 90% of strawberries harvested in the United States are grown in California. However, due to severe flooding in parts of the state, thousands of acres of the crop were lost. The result is a scramble for strawberries nationwide during peak season and an increased cost.

What’s going on with strawberries?

The hepatitis A virus strain causing illnesses in this outbreak was genetically identical to the strain that caused a foodborne hepatitis A outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from the same farm in Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers.

What to avoid when buying strawberries?

Avoid buying strawberries that are bruised, moldy, wrinkled or with green or white tips. If the bottom of the container is stained or leaking, it may be a sign that the berries are rotting.

Why are strawberries so expensive?

“They [strawberries] might be expensive because if we don’t get the people to pick them, the supply is going to be greatly reduced.” Backpackers and holidaymakers are no longer around to pick strawberries on Queensland farms. (Supplied: LuvaBerry)

How many strawberries is too many?

Strawberry is a very healthy and low-calorie fruit, in 100g it has only 45kcal. There are also no reported side effects, so there is no set threshold.

Why are strawberry prices rising?

The shortage in food items and the rise in input prices have also led to an increase in consumer prices. The U.S. consumer price index rose by 6.2 percent in October 2021 compared to the same month last year, which is also its fastest rate of growth since 1990. The rise in strawberry demand has been driven by consumers’ changing preferences.

Where did Strawberries come from in 2021?

Strawberry volumes in the U.S market in January of 2021, were slightly lower (3 percent) than those registered in 2020. The strawberry volumes of these past weeks of 2021 came from California, Florida y Mexico. (Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)

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