Heavy Rains and Disease Damaging Queensland Strawberry Crops

The strawberry industry in Australia is valued at USD 224.6 M a year, with exports of over USD 18M. The strawberry industry has increased its production over recent years due to increased local consumption, increased planting area, improved varieties, and better supply chains. Strawberries are grown in all Australian states, but production is concentrated in the Sunshine Coast area of Queensland, the Yarra Valley, and the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Other production areas include Western Australia, Southern Australia, Tasmania, and New South Wales. Despite positive results over the past years, in the past 12 months, the Australian strawberry season has faced some issues.

Source: Orchard Tech Australia

Australian strawberry prices have increased tremendously over the past year. In June 2022, the price of a 250g strawberry pack in Australia reached USD 8.33 in Canberra. The price rise has been a shock for consumers since, in August 2021, a strawberry surplus put Victorian-grown strawberries on sale at three 250g packs for USD 1.39, and in September 2021, the price of a 250g pack was USD 1.04. On the other hand, this year, Victorian-grown strawberries are in extremely high demand and show high prices since the supply in Queensland is lacking.

Strawberry prices have increased due to lower production and a supply shortage. Wet weather has been affecting Queensland and other the Sunshine Coast crops, delaying the winter production. The wet weather has facilitated a myriad of fungal diseases spread on the crops in Queensland, affecting production since farmers are struggling to control them.

Australia is highly dependent on Queensland’s winter crop to fulfill their local and export demand since at this time of the year, 90% of Australian strawberries come from Queensland. The decrease in production has farmers in Victoria and Stanthorpe picking late-season strawberries since the rise in production in Queensland can be delayed by up to a month. Other Sunshine Coast crops are also delayed since the harvest usually starts in May, and this year harvest began in June.

Rains are forecast to decrease over the next month. The Australian Growers Association estimates that it could take a month for the prices to ease until the supply starts to recover. Once the strawberry supply reaches normal levels, Australian strawberries should display prices consistent with previous years.