1. Weekly News

Greece

Greek Strawberry Harvest Delayed Due to Cold Weather and Market Challenges

Greece's strawberry harvest has been delayed by a month due to poor-quality seedlings and unseasonably cold weather, impacting production and sales. While the season began strong with Ex Works (EXW) prices at USD 10.33 per kilogram (EUR 10/kg), prices have since dropped below last year's average. Competition from Egyptian strawberries, which remain cost-competitive despite air delivery, has further pressured Greek exports, especially in German supermarkets. High volumes are expected around February 20, 2025, with a notable shift toward the more resilient and productive Arwen variety, replacing Fortuna and Victory. Growers hope to recover lost sales later in the season, depending on the timing of German and Polish crop arrivals.

India

Strawberry Cultivation Expands in Jammu and Kashmir as Farmers Shift from Rice

In Jammu and Kashmir's Arnia region, farmers are increasingly adopting strawberry cultivation as an alternative to traditional rice farming, driven by support from the horticulture department. The region’s favorable climate has led to successful harvests, with strawberry farming now covering 100 hectares (ha) in the Jammu region. Planting takes place from October to mid-November, with fruit-bearing beginning in December and harvesting continuing until mid-April. The crop’s high market value, short harvesting cycle, and use in packaged food products have enhanced its appeal. Additionally, government loans and technical assistance are encouraging farmers, providing economic benefits, and creating employment opportunities in the region.

Italy

Strawberry Production Faces Weather-Related Delays in Italy

The strawberry season in Italy has begun, but adverse weather conditions, including rain, cloudy skies, and low temperatures, have delayed production and disrupted supply. However, volumes are expected to recover starting February 10, 2025. This year’s campaign spans over 200 ha, maintaining the same planting area as the previous season, with hopes of restoring quality and quantity. The premium SìBon line continues to gain market recognition, which accounted for 15% of sales last year, while organic production remains stable, reinforcing Coop Sole’s commitment to consistent and sustainable growth.

Japan

Japan's Zipair to Offer Fresh Strawberries on Singapore Flights

Japan's Zipair Tokyo is collaborating with Jal Agriport, a company known for its high standards in agricultural production and logistics, to offer fresh, high-quality strawberries on flights to Singapore from February 3 to February 28, 2025. Grown near Narita Airport, these strawberries are harvested on the day of departure and carefully temperature-controlled to ensure peak freshness upon arrival. Certified under the Asia Good Agricultural Practice (ASIAGAP) global safety standard, Jal Agriport upholds strict health and safety measures throughout the process. Pre-ordering strawberries online through Zipair’s Optional Service Selection site began on January 29, 2025. Customers can place orders up to 72 hours before departure.

United States

Severe Cold Damages Strawberry Crop in the US

Strawberry farmers in the United States (US) are facing significant losses after a recent snow event damaged approximately 80% of the crop, affecting around 500 cases of strawberries. While the snow initially provided insulation, extreme cold and strong winds caused severe harm, delaying operations by nearly a month. Farmers have had to remove damaged berries and discard affected new growth, including flowers and green fruit. Despite these setbacks, the current crop condition is better than last year’s, when disease significantly impacted yields. To prevent future losses and ensure a more stable season, farmers are implementing protective measures such as covering plants with cloth.

2. Weekly Pricing

Weekly Strawberry Pricing Important Exporters (USD/kg)

Yearly Change in Strawberry Pricing Important Exporters (W5 2024 to W5

2025)

Mexico

In Mexico, strawberry prices rose by 13.94% week-on-week (WoW) to USD 1.88/kg in W5, with a 12.57% month-on-month (MoM) increase due to stronger demand ahead of Valentine’s Day, which provided upward pressure on prices despite the ongoing peak production season. However, year-on-year (YoY) prices dropped by 17.18% due to continued high harvest volumes from Michoacán, Baja California, and Guanajuato, which together represent 95.4% of national production. The strong supply from these regions has outweighed seasonal demand, keeping prices lower compared to the same period last year.

Spain

Strawberry prices in Spain surged by 30.95% WoW to USD 4.40/kg in W5 due to lower initial strawberry volumes this season, which were impacted by higher temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, including extreme heat and heavy rain. These conditions have disrupted the growing, flowering, and harvesting periods, leading to reduced supply at the start of the season. Additionally, concerns about water scarcity in some Spanish regions have put further strain on production, contributing to the price increase. However, prices dropped by 7.56% YoY due to the lingering effects of overproduction in previous seasons, which led to higher volumes on the market last year, and despite the challenges this year, the overall market remains under pressure from the large supplies of strawberries available in earlier periods.

United States

Strawberry prices in the US increased by 13.62% WoW to USD 4.84/kg in W5, marking a 3.64% MoM increase due to recent snow damage that affected around 80% of the crop, causing delays in production and reducing supply. The reduced availability of strawberries, coupled with efforts to protect plants and recover from the damage, has driven up prices in the short term. However, prices dropped by 23.42% YoY due to a recovery in crop conditions compared to last year when disease outbreaks severely impacted yields, leading to lower overall demand for the current season's supply.

Egypt

Egypt's strawberry prices remained stable at USD 0.50/kg in W5, but prices dropped by 13.79% YoY due to a seasonal increase in supply as the peak production period continues, making it a challenging year for maintaining high prices. Despite Egypt's extended strawberry season, which allows for fresh strawberries to be available when other growing regions are out of season, the steady availability of the fruit has created pressure on prices. Additionally, lower global demand and competition from other regions with overlapping harvest periods have further contributed to the price decline compared to the same period last year.

Italy

Italy's strawberry prices increased by 3.45% WoW to USD 8.09/kg in W5, reflecting a 29.86% MoM rise and a 35.06% YoY surge. This was driven by the delayed start of the season, caused by adverse weather conditions, which limited early supply. As weather conditions improve and production volumes are expected to recover, the reduced availability in the initial weeks has contributed to the price increase. Additionally, the growing demand for premium SìBon line and stable organic production have contributed to higher price levels compared to the same period last year.

3. Actionable Recommendations

Boost Greek Strawberry Competitiveness with Quality Control

Greek strawberry growers must focus on improving seedling quality and adopting resilient varieties like Arwen to recover from delayed harvests. Timely crop management and targeted marketing, particularly around February, will help regain lost sales and mitigate competition from Egypt. By addressing these challenges, growers can strengthen their position in key markets like Germany and Poland later in the season.

Strengthen Weather Resilience in the Strawberry Industry

The strawberry industry should invest in advanced weather forecasting and protective measures like greenhouses or crop covers to combat adverse weather conditions and minimize supply disruptions. Growers should also diversify their varieties, focusing on more resilient strains, and continue promoting premium and organic lines to strengthen market positions. Enhancing production flexibility and adapting to unpredictable climates will help mitigate the effects of delays and competition, ensuring consistent supply and quality throughout the season.

Sources: Tridge, Etv Bharat, Freshplaza, Horti Daily, WGNO, Zipair