Although the area under cultivation has increased slightly, this year’s strawberry harvest will not exceed the average due to unfavorable weather conditions, the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) told MTI on Tuesday.
Greenhouse-grown strawberries from domestic production will hit the market starting in late April—at least a week later than usual—due to spring frosts and cold snaps. Open-field-grown strawberries, which account for three-quarters of the total supply, are expected to appear on store shelves in mid-May.
Unpredictable weather could still cause problems during the season, which lasts until mid-June, but the lack of mechanization also makes harvesting a challenge for growers, as manual labor is hard to find and hiring workers is costly, they wrote.
The domestic strawberry growing area is nearly 800 hectares, and this year’s harvest is estimated at 7,000–7,500 tons.
The entire country is suitable for cultivation, but there are several traditional growing regions, such as Lajosmizse, Tahitótfalu, Ormánság, and Heves.
Sales may initially be hampered by cheaper imports, but the price difference will disappear by the second half of May as domestic produce hits the market. Spain is the EU’s largest strawberry producer, but the weather there has not been favorable this year either, so Greek strawberries may gain a larger share of the international market, they added.
Thanks to continuous imports, strawberries are now available year-round in Hungary as well, but according to the statement, domestically grown strawberries are superior in every respect. Crops from Mediterranean countries ripen unevenly, even though the nutritional value and flavor of strawberries only develop when they are fully ripe.
According to the statement, Hungarian producers not only pay attention to this, but also to careful variety selection, water and nutrient supply, and the use of modern pest control methods.
Via MTI; Featured photo: Pexels
