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Strawberry Situation and Outlook

 

Canada–Fresh Strawberries

 

Strawberry production in 2000/01 (March/February) is forecast at 25,000 tons, up 19 percent from the weather-reduced 1999/2000 strawberry crop. A return to more normal weather across all producing regions in Canada is expected to return strawberry production to more normal levels. Production for 1999/2000 was revised down from 27,000 tons to 21,000 tons due to poor weather conditions in Quebec and Ontario, the two largest strawberry producing provinces. Overall, Canada’s production of fresh strawberries has remained flat in recent years reflecting a combination of reduced planted area and weather-related production difficulties.

 

Imports of fresh strawberries from the United States are on pace to reach a record 52,000 tons, valued at $75 million during 1999/2000. Over the short term, prospects for increased strawberry consumption in Canada are favorable. The adverse publicity surrounding the cyclosporan scare of the mid-1990s appears to have faded, contributing to increased fresh strawberry purchases among consumers. In addition, real disposable incomes in Canada are expected to rise over the next few years which may help offset the perception by the average consumer that fresh strawberries are an expensive fruit.

 

Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), fresh strawberries from the United States and Mexico enter Canada duty-free. The Canada/Chile Free Trade Agreement provides free access for fresh strawberries from Chile. Canada chose not to apply any seasonal tariffs on fresh strawberries from any origin in 1999.

 

Canada–Frozen Strawberries

 

Production of frozen strawberries is forecast at 2,500 tons in 2000/01, unchanged from 1999/2000. With demand for frozen strawberries increasing at a greater pace than production, it is expected that imports will rise 3 percent to 15,500 tons during 2000/01, while exports will remain unchanged at 500 tons. In the first eight months of 2000 (January - August), frozen strawberry imports from Mexico declined by 25 percent compared to the same period in 1999, while imports from the United States fell by 12 percent. Frozen strawberry imports for 1999/2000 are estimated at 15,000 tons, an 8 percent decline from the previous year.

 

Under NAFTA all import duties on U.S. frozen strawberries, including any seasonal duties, were reduced to zero on January 1, 1998. Frozen strawberries from Mexico and Chile face a duty of 2.6 Canadian cents/kg and 3.5 Canadian cents/kg, respectively. Tariffs on frozen strawberries from Mexico and Chile will be phased out by 2002.

 

Mexico–Fresh Strawberries

 

Mexico’s fresh strawberry production in 2000/01 (August/July) is forecast at 141,000 tons, a 3-percent decline from the previous year. According to the industry, fewer hectares are being planted as a result of lower market prices for strawberries during 1999/2000. Most of the decline in plantings is expected in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Growers in Guanajuato are moving production to Michoacan so they can harvest earlier or they are switching to less risky crops, such as broccoli, cauliflower, sorghum, wheat, or tomatoes in the areas formerly planted with strawberries.

 

Fresh strawberry exports are forecast at 42,000 tons for 2000/01, unchanged from 1999/2000. The estimate for 1999/2000 exports remains unchanged due to weak demand in the international markets as a result of greater competition from the United States. Imports of fresh U.S. strawberries supply the Mexican market from May through November. At 6,000 tons, imports of U.S. strawberries for 1999/2000 were unexpectedly high due to strong demand and ample supplies from the United States. Imports for 2000/01 are forecast at a more conservative volume of 5,000 tons, still representing an increase in demand compared to 1998/99.

 

Mexico–Frozen Strawberries

 

Frozen strawberry production in 2000/01 is forecast down 2 percent from 1999/2000 to 53,000 tons. Low international prices for frozen strawberries are driving this decline.

 

Exports of frozen strawberries are forecast to decline 2 percent to 42,200 tons in 2000/01 as a result of low international prices and lower demand. If international prices keep falling, exports are expected to be even lower. Frozen strawberry imports are still not significant within the Mexican market. Under NAFTA, the 2000 import tariff rate on frozen strawberries is 4.2 percent. Mexico charges a 20 percent duty on imports from non-NAFTA countries.

 

Poland–Fresh Strawberries

 

Poland’s fresh strawberry production is forecast to decrease to 150,000 tons in calendar year (CY) 2001 due to reduced plantings as result of the weak prices strawberry growers received in 2000. In 2000, only 169,000 tons of strawberries were harvested. The combination of older genetic stock, lack of funds to purchase sufficient plant protection chemicals and unfavorable weather conditions reduced both the size and quality of the strawberry crop. Prices were also the lowest in three years, mostly due to weak domestic demand. As a result, the Polish Institute of Agricultural Economics declared that in 2000 strawberry sales covered only 54 percent of production costs.

 

Exports of fresh strawberries are forecast to rise 4 percent to 13,000 tons in 2001. Polish analysts expect exports of fresh strawberries to increase as Polish farmers increase production of table varieties which attract higher prices and could increase the profitability of their operations. Polish exports of fresh and frozen strawberries to the European Union could increase even further after January 1, 2001, when the Polish-European Union agreement is expected to become effective, thereby eliminating duties and import quotas on strawberry products exported from Poland to the European Union.

 

Poland–Frozen Strawberries

 

Sixty to seventy percent of strawberry production is sold as a frozen product. In 2001, production of frozen strawberries is forecast at 95,300, up 5 percent from the previous year. Frozen strawberry production for 2000 has been revised down to 91,000 tons, as a result of poor strawberry quality that led to unusually large waste.

 

Consumption of frozen strawberries is only about .2 kg per capita. Poles prefer purchasing fresh product during the harvest season as well as consuming products processed at home. Consequently, the majority of Poland’s frozen strawberry production is exported. In 2001 exports are forecast 82,000 tons up 3 percent from the previous year. In 2000, Poland continued to be the largest supplier of frozen strawberries to the EU, with Germany as Poland’s largest market. Limited imports of frozen strawberries enter Poland from Spain, China and Germany.

 

Japan–Fresh Strawberries

 

Strawberry production for 2000/01 (October - September) is forecast at 180,000 tons, down 3 percent from the 185,000 tons produced in 1999/2000. Almost all of Japan’s strawberries are produced in hot houses, with production from December through June. Peak harvesting occurs from January through April.

 

Continued growth in fresh strawberry imports is expected in 2000/01, with sales forecast at 6,000 tons, up 11 percent from last year. In 1999/2000, the United States is estimated to supply 5,4000 tons of fresh strawberries to Japan. The United States remains the largest supplier of fresh strawberries to the Japanese market. However, market share has fallen from 94-percent in 1997/98 to an estimated 70-percent in 1999/2000 as a result of greater import competition from South Korea and New Zealand. According to Tokyo’s traders, sales of fresh strawberries from South Korea are fueled by low prices on South Korean product, which arrives via surface shipment through the winter months and is priced at roughly $5.00 per kilogram (CIF). Unlike U.S. berries, nearly all South Korean strawberries are sold to Japan’s confectionery industry as cake decorations.

 

Japan–Frozen Strawberries

 

Japan’s production of frozen strawberries is very small, with off-grade fresh strawberries usually diverted to the processing sector.

 

Imports account for virtually all of the frozen strawberries consumed in Japan. In 2000/01, imports of frozen strawberries are forecast to reach 29,000 tons, up 3 percent from the previous year. The United States remains the largest supplier of frozen strawberries to the Japanese market but its market share has fallen as a result of greater competition from China, South Korea and Mexico. Japan’s food processors, including jam, yogurt, and juice manufacturers, report that improving quality of Chinese berries and competitive pricing are encouraging a shift away from U.S. product to Chinese supplies. The average import price for frozen strawberries from China was $1.04 per kilogram on a CIF basis for January - August 2000, roughly half the price of U.S. frozen berries at $2.07 per kilogram. While U.S. frozen strawberries are well recognized among Japanese processors as offering superior quality, buyers are shifting to lower-cost product due to growing price competition in Japan’s processed food market.

 

Spain–Fresh Strawberries

 

After reaching a record 370,000 tons in CY 1999, strawberry production is forecast to continue to decline from 357,000 tons in 2000 to 350,000 tons in 2001. The production decline in 2000 and 2001 is attributed to adverse weather and a decline in area under strawberry cultivation.

 

As a result of the smaller production, exports of fresh strawberries are forecast to reach 215,000 tons in 2001, down 2 percent compared to the previous year. Fresh strawberry exports are estimated to reach 220,000 tons in 2000. Germany and France are the leading destinations for Spain’s fresh strawberry exports. Imports continue to be minimal, mainly used by processors during Spain’s non-producing season. Few, if any opportunities exist for U.S. strawberry exporters.

 

Spain–Frozen Strawberries

 

Frozen strawberry production is forecast to decline by 2 percent in 2001 to reach 41,500 tons, due to the expected decline in land under cultivation. In 2000 production of frozen strawberries fell by 7 percent to reach 42,200 tons, a smaller than expected decline. Most of Spain’s strawberry production is for the fresh market, with only about 15 percent of strawberry production destined for processing.

 

Exports are forecast to rise by 13 percent to 30,600 tons, only a little under the record 30,700 tons exported in 1999. The majority of frozen strawberry exports are destined for other EU countries.

 

Italy

 

Fresh strawberry production in Italy is expected to decline by 2 percent to reach 102,000 tons in CY 2001, although much will depend on weather developments in the next few months. Production for 2000 has been revised downward from 120,000 tons to 104,500 tons due to new production information. Planted area continues to decline, due to both high labor costs and strong competition from Spain in the major European import markets.

 

Exports of fresh strawberries are expected to continue to decline in both 2000 and 2001 while imports continue to grow. Exports are forecast to decline by 3 percent to 37,000 tons in 2001 as a result of strong competition from Spain in major European markets. During the first six months of 2000, fresh strawberry exports reached only 30,358 tons, or 27 percent less than for the same period in 1999. Consequently, the fresh strawberry export estimate for 2000 has been revised down from 50,000 tons to 38,000 tons. Imports, mainly from Spain, continue to increase in 1999 and 2000 mostly as a result of decreased domestic supplies. Imports from the United States are virtually non-existent.

 

In 2001 frozen strawberry production is forecast to rise by 9 percent to 12,000 tons, while production for 2000 has been revised down from 13,000 to 11,000. Trade in frozen strawberries is expected to remain marginal in 2001.

 

United States

 

The strawberry forecast for 2001 will be available in April on our strawberry commodity page which is located at the following address: http://www.fas.usda.gov/horticulture/strawberry.html

 

 

Strawberry production for CY 2000 is estimated at 882,000 tons, up 7 percent from the previous year due to favorable weather conditions and increased acreage. Planted acreage in California and Florida, the two largest strawberry producing states, is up 7 and 15 percent, respectively compared to last year. As a result of the large estimated strawberry crop in 2000, frozen strawberry production is also expected up 7 percent to reach 265,000 tons.

 

With greater production, fresh strawberry exports will continue to increase, reaching 62,000 tons in 2000, a 10-percent increase compared to the previous year. In the first ten months of 2000 (January - October), U.S. exports of fresh strawberries have reached 59,922 tons, surpassing the 56,417 tons exported for all of calendar year 1999.

 

While exports of fresh strawberries are at a record level, frozen strawberry exports are low for 2000. Frozen strawberry exports have been revised down from 28,000 tons to 22,000 tons for 2000. Frozen strawberry exports for year to date (January - October 2000 are down 25 percent from the same period last to year to only 17,000 tons. Japan, Canada and Australia remain the largest markets for frozen U.S. strawberry exports.

 

(The FAS Attache Report search engine contains reports on Fresh Strawberry industries for 6 countries, including Spain, Italy, and Mexico. For information on production and trade, contact Karina Ramos at 202 720-6877 or visit the strawberry commodity page at http://www.fas.usda.gov/htp/horticulture/strawberry.html For information on marketing contact Elizabeth Mello at 202-690-6057).

 

Last modified: Sunday, March 17, 2013