In W34 in the strawberry landscape, Egyptian strawberry growers are optimistic about the upcoming season after facing challenges in the past. Despite climatic difficulties such as heat waves and high production costs, growers are determined to maintain their acreage. Improved plant quality is a positive development this year, and familiar varieties like Fortuna, Sensation, and Festival will dominate, with potential for new varieties like Valiant, Victor, and Royal due to their disease resistance. Egyptian growers expect a successful season compared to competitors like Spain and Morocco. Labor shortages in Spain and shifting focus in Morocco have created an advantage for Egypt.
Strawberry farmers in Huelva, a province that dominates around 95% of Spain's strawberry production, are preparing for the upcoming agricultural season. Despite concerns about water availability due to drought conditions, fields are being prepared for planting with plastic covers set to finish in September. Irrigation systems, metal structures, and soil disinfection are scheduled for installation, with expected planting in October.
The German strawberry season is concluding with a decline in availability and a notable decrease in demand. The market has experienced an overabundance of assortment. Challenges such as holidays and adverse weather conditions have led to limited supplies. This has prompted dealers to adjust their demands, often incorporating gradual reductions throughout the week or implementing changes on Mondays. The prevalence of significant discounts has impacted the domestic and complementary international strawberry lots, particularly those from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland. In Hamburg, German greenhouse-grown strawberries stood at USD 6.34/500 grams (gm) (EUR 5.80 /500gm.
The Obispo Colombres Agroindustrial Experimental Station of Argentina (Eeaoc) has assessed the initial cost projection for the 2023 strawberry campaign. The evaluation includes soil preparation, border assembly (contracted labor), planting and re-fallowing (temporary labor), seedling cost with freight, and essential inputs like plastic covering, soil disinfection treatment, and irrigation tape. The estimated expense is approximately USD 27,116 per hectare (ha), representing a 5% increase from the same items' costs in the 2022 campaign. Argentina exported 6.95 thousand tons of frozen strawberries in 2022 while importing 108 tons. Tucumán, a significant contributor to exports, experienced a 7% drop year-on-year (YoY) in frozen strawberry exports in 2022. Fresh strawberry volumes from Tucumán to the Central Market of Buenos Aires increased by 18% YoY in 2022, with a notable selling price of USD 1,250per kilogram (kg) in May. In Tucumán, the cost of cultivating one hectare of strawberries for the 2022 campaign was estimated at USD 35,844 for a yield of 40 tons per hectare. Notably, plantation expenses for 2023 experienced a 5% increase compared to 2022 figures.
Lastly, in July 2023, Peruvian strawberry exports demonstrated robust growth, reaching 1.63 thousand tons, a 77% increase compared to the 925 tons exported in the same month in 2022. The Peruvian strawberries were shipped to 10 international markets, with the United States (US) having the lead at a 66% market share, followed by Canada at 12%.