W37: Strawberry Update

In W37 in the strawberry landscape, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that the demand for strawberries and blueberries in the United States (US) has significantly increased since 2000, leading to substantial growth in domestic production and imports. High-yielding strawberry varieties have boosted total domestic production while reducing acreage. Fresh strawberries imported from Mexico reached a record high of 431 million pounds in 2020. While Mexican strawberries have an almost year-round presence in the US market, approximately 85% of Mexico’s US-bound shipments enter the market during winter and spring. US strawberry exports, primarily for fresh consumption in Canada, grew by 94% in volume between 2018 and 2020 compared to the same period from 2000 to 2020. However, frozen strawberry exports dropped over the past decade. Additionally, organic strawberry production in California has rapidly grown, with a tripling of organic strawberry acreage from 2008 to 2019.

In Argentina, the strawberry season typically starts from late August or early September to February or March, with variations depending on region and yearly weather conditions. During W37, strawberries in Mendoza stood at USD 2.86 per kilogram (ARS 1,000/kg). Peak production and quality are usually observed from November to January, making these months the most abundant for strawberries.

Egypt has increased its exports of frozen strawberries to the US market in 2023, with a record high of 9.10 thousand metric tons (mt) exported from Jan-23 to Jul-23. Egypt's position in the US market improved during this period, surpassing Peru in strawberry exports and ranking fourth among suppliers to the US market. While Mexico and Chile remain the top suppliers of frozen strawberries to the US, Egypt's growing presence signals a trend of Mexico losing its share in the market. Imports of Egyptian frozen strawberries to the US decreased by 14% to 109 thousand mt during this period.

Lastly, Azerbaijan is seeking Turkey as a model for advancing vegetable and fruit cultivation, particularly in the Lankaran-Astara Economic Region. An Azerbaijani delegation is exploring agricultural equipment, potato cultivation in Niğde, and strawberries and citrus fruit production in Antalya to replicate these practices.