W14 Strawberry Update: Egyptian Strawberry Industry Displays Resilience Amid Global Challenges, California Strawberry Industry Stabilizes as Harvesting Ends in Mexico and Florida, and Price Drop Hits Poland's Wholesale Strawberry Market

Published Apr 11, 2024

In W14 in the strawberry landscape, the Egyptian strawberry industry has shown resilience despite global challenges, exporting 2.2 mmt worth USD 1.5 billion to 160 countries. Poland's wholesale strawberry market experienced a price drop due to high production volumes, reduced demand, and competition. Meanwhile, California's strawberry industry stabilized due to harvesting ending in Central Mexico and Florida. Embrapa's 'Phoenix' strawberry aims to improve Brazilian yields. Lastly, Taiwan intercepted a shipment of Japanese strawberries due to concerns about pesticide residue.

Egyptian Strawberry Industry Resilient Amid Challenges During Jan-24 to Mar-24

The Egyptian strawberry industry has shown resilience despite global and regional challenges, including inflation, currency devaluation, and the Red Sea crisis. From Jan-24 to Mar-24, Egypt exported 2.2 million metric tons (mmt) of crops worth USD 1.5 billion, including strawberries, to 160 countries. Prices have remained stable due to increased demand, and the season is marked by the development of new markets, particularly in the frozen strawberry sector. Egypt's climate and expertise in strawberry production set it apart from competitors, but it is crucial to monitor other countries' efforts to improve trading conditions.

Poland's Wholesale Strawberry Prices Dropped in Apr-24

Poland's wholesale strawberry market is facing a significant downturn in Apr-24, with prices hitting record lows between USD 2.03 per kilogram (kg) and USD 2.53/kg (PLN 8/kg to PLN 10/kg), similar to 2019. This drop is due to several factors, including high production volumes, reduced demand, adverse weather conditions, and increased competition from strawberry producers in Spain, Greece, and Albania. While consumers benefit from lower prices, producers and traders potentially face revenue losses.

California Strawberry Prices Stabilize as Harvesting Concludes in Central Mexico and Florida

The strawberry industry in California has seen a steady balance of supply and demand, partly because harvesting has stopped in Florida and Central Mexico. The warm winter and early spring temperatures have resulted in high yields. Harvests along the Central Coast have begun on schedule and will last until autumn. On Apr-24, harvesting is ongoing in Oxnard and Santa Maria, with Oxnard approaching its peak season. Prices have stabilized due to the end of harvesting in Central Mexico and Florida. A produce wholesaler predicts that the volume of strawberries will align with their quality as Oxnard and Santa Maria increase production and Watsonville/Salinas maintain a steady pace.

EMBRAPA Develops 'Phoenix' Strawberry to Enhance Yields in Brazil

In Atibaia, São Paulo, there are plans to plant the 'phoenix' strawberry species developed by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) later this Apr-24. The Fênix strawberry, developed over the last five years, aims to improve strawberry yields in Brazil. Thousands of seedlings are ready for planting as the initiative seeks to take advantage of the phoenix's adaptability to Brazilian conditions.

Taiwan Intercepts Japanese Strawberry Shipment Over Pesticide Residue Concerns

On March 14, 2024, a 472 kg shipment of Japanese strawberries was stopped at Taiwan's border due to excessive pesticide residues, specifically Flonicamid, at a concentration of 0.02 parts per million. This incident happened before the relaxation of residue limits on April 1, 2024, which previously enforced a zero-tolerance policy for Flonicamid on strawberries.