1. Weekly News

Australia

Tasmanian Strawberry Season Begins with High-Quality

With summer approaching, Tasmanian strawberries are making their way to stores. Local growers highlighted the unique quality of Tasmanian strawberries, attributing their sweetness to the cooler climate and extra winter chill. Although the 2024 season began slightly later than last year due to an Oct-24 cold spell, the volume and quality remain high. Almost all Tasmanian strawberries are sold domestically, with only a small portion going overseas. Tasmania contributes about 15% of Australia’s total strawberry production, roughly 10 thousand metric tons (mt) out of the national 66 thousand mt. According to Fruit Growers of Tasmania, strawberries thrive in Tasmania’s cool climate, mainly when grown in poly tunnels or substrates, accounting for 90% of production in the region.

Mexico

Michoacán Leads Mexico Strawberry Production

The top three strawberry-producing states in Mexico are Michoacán, Baja California, and Guanajuato. Michoacán leads with 431 thousand mt annually, driven by production in the municipalities of Zamora, Tangancícuaro, and Jacona, contributing 32.2%, 16%, and 11.8% of the state’s output, respectively. This state has 10,120 hectares (ha) under strawberry cultivation, generating a production value of USD 483.7 million, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). Nationwide, Mexico ranks third globally in strawberry production, averaging 639 thousand mt per year, with exports valued at approximately USD 784 million USD annually. Michoacán alone contributes 73% of the country’s strawberry yield. Baja California is the second-highest producer with 123 thousand mt, while Guanajuato ranks third with 79 thousand mt from 903 ha, valued at USD 292.33 million. In Guanajuato, production is concentrated primarily in Irapuato, which produces 45.9% of the state’s strawberries, alongside Tarandacuao and Abasolo.

Morocco

Morocco’s Strawberry Season Begins in Larache with Strong Early Prospects

The strawberry season has started in Morocco's Larache region, a hub for red fruit production, where planting choices vary each year. Strawberry planting is complete as of W43, with the first harvest expected on November 20. While strawberry acreage has increased over the past three seasons, it still hasn’t reached peak levels, as some growers are shifting interest toward other crops like avocados. The 2024 season has seen favorable weather, with fewer temperature fluctuations and no storms like Oct-23's Storm Bernard. Moreover, the peak strawberry harvest will be on Jan-25, with a larger harvest anticipated from Mar-25 to Apr-25. Early-season strawberries are intended for the fresh market, while the later harvest will primarily serve the growing frozen sector.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Strawberry Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Strawberry Pricing Important Exporters (W44 2023 to W44 2024)

Mexico

In W44, strawberry prices in Mexico dropped to USD 1.58 per kilogram (kg), marking an 8.67% decline week-on-week (WoW) and a 25.92% decrease month-on-month (MoM) since the peak in W40. This reduction is due to improved weather conditions, which have helped stabilize the market after earlier concerns about drought and unseasonal rainfall that threatened long-term supply. With the harvest beginning, supply gradually increases, potentially leading to further price adjustments. Despite solid demand in specific regions, prices are normalizing as supply steadies, signaling a move away from the elevated prices seen earlier in the season.

Italy

In W44, strawberry prices in Italy fell to USD 8.91/kg, showing a 5.71% WoW decrease, an 11.96% MoM decline, and an 18.03% drop YoY. This price reduction reflects a trend since W40 as summer temperatures have eased and supply levels are gradually recovering. Italy has recorded the highest strawberry prices among major producers during this period. Still, with supply stabilizing, prices are expected to keep decreasing, potentially aligning more closely with typical seasonal trends in the weeks ahead.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Leverage Data and Weather Forecasts in Morocco

Moroccan strawberry growers can optimize their harvesting process using advanced weather forecasting and precision farming techniques. By aligning the harvest timing with the most favorable weather conditions, particularly during the crucial January to April window, producers can significantly improve their crops' quality and yield. Morocco's Larache region, known for its strawberry production, can benefit from data-driven decision-making to reduce the impact of unpredictable weather events, like temperature fluctuations and storms, which have affected past seasons. By using weather data to predict optimal harvest periods, farmers can ensure that their strawberries are harvested at peak ripeness, reducing spoilage and improving their competitive edge in fresh and frozen strawberry markets.

Increase Export Focus for Mexican Strawberry Growers

Mexican strawberry producers should expand into international markets, especially in regions like Asia and Europe, where demand for fresh strawberries is rising. This includes establishing partnerships with international distributors, improving packaging standards to meet global market requirements, and attending trade fairs to connect with potential buyers. In particular, Mexican strawberries, especially those from Michoacán, Baja California, and Guanajuato, could steadily increase in export volumes by targeting niche markets that seek high-quality, fresh strawberries year-round. Expanding into new markets would reduce dependence on domestic demand and provide farmers with a hedge against price volatility in the domestic market, ensuring a more stable and diversified income stream.

Strengthen Supply Chain Efficiency

Tasmanian local strawberry producers can significantly benefit from enhancing the efficiency of their supply chain. By investing in advanced cold storage facilities and optimizing transportation networks, Tasmanian growers can reduce post-harvest losses and ensure timely strawberries delivery to the domestic market. This improvement would help stabilize supply during peak harvest periods, providing a steady flow of fresh strawberries even when production volumes peak. Moreover, better logistics would minimize spoilage and wastage, allowing farmers to meet the growing demand for fresh, high-quality strawberries. With an efficient supply chain, growers can better manage price fluctuations and increase profitability.

Sources: HortiDaily, FreshPlaza, Elsoldezamora