Agronometrics Shorts: Florida Strawberry Season in Full Swing
By
| 23 January 2024
Strawberry harvests in Florida are currently underway, with growers anticipating a positive season in terms of overall fruit quality. Despite some challenges due to cold weather affecting the bloom cycle in certain Tampa Bay crops, the Florida Strawberry Growers Association remains optimistic about the overall fruit quality for the season. According to the latest update from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the strawberry farming sector in Florida boasts a staggering farmgate value of approximately $500 million. Kenneth Parker, the Executive Director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, expressed enthusiasm about the ongoing season, emphasizing the exceptional flavor and quality of the strawberries. Parker credited the success of the season to several innovative varieties developed by UF/IFAS, highlighting the contributions of strawberry breeder Vance Whitaker and his team at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Among the notable varieties developed by UF/IFAS are Florida Pearl, Florida Medallion, Florida Brilliance, and Sweet Sensation. According to Whitaker, growers prioritize traits that align with consumer preferences, such as flavor, color, shape, and shelf life; they also consider crucial factors like yield, disease resistance, and ease of harvest in the cultivation process. Whitaker expressed pride in the continual enhancement of varieties to meet the needs of growers, emphasizing the importance of flavor in encouraging increased strawberry consumption. Prices so far this season have ranged between $6.06 per kg and $7.72 per kg. In light of the anticipated surge in demand preceding Valentine’s Day, increases in prices could be expected over the upcoming 2-3 weeks.
Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)
Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)
Written by Sarah Ilyas
