Finland Times

 

Photo Lehtikuva.

Domestic strawberry harvest is feared to be poorer this year, sources at the Fruits and Berry Farmers Association said.

 

The producers estimated the harvest this year will be one-third lower than that in the last year.

 

This year the harvest may amount to 10 million kilograms compared to 15 million kilograms in 2015, said Chief Executive Officer Hannu Salo of the Fruits and Berry Farmers Association.

 

According to Salo, the harvest has been affected by a cold and less snowy weather in January, hot and dry weather at the beginning of the summer as well as the rains at the beginning of July.

 

On average summer strawberries yielded about 12 million to 13 million kilograms.

 

According to Salo, strawberry varieties which ripen at the end of the summer may still patch up the situation.

 

Photo Lehtikuva.

The cool and unstable weather at the beginning of July has stalled the ripening of strawberries and has also hampered harvesting of the berries from the field. As a result, the availability is weak in some places.

 

It has been cool and rainy for at least a week in south and north Savonia as well as in north Karelia which are the main areas of strawberry production.

 

The strawberry harvesting has, however, started nearly three weeks earlier this year. According to Salo, the harvesting season usually begins after the middle of July. 

 

“Last year (the harvesting season) was very late, this year again it has come very early. A season which begins late usually promises to be a good one. One which begins early on the other hand is bad. If the harvest is early, there is generally a heat wave and as a result full production cannot be obtained,” explained Salo.