It's strawberry season and strawberries are being sold everywhere. Many consumers find it strange though that although strawberries look the same, prices differ, and not just by a little.
There are currently two types of strawberries being sold on the market. One type has a sweet and sour taste, big “Butter” strawberries and the other is a medium sized, common fresh red strawberry. The “Butter” strawberries are normally twice as expensive than the typical strawberry.
With such a difference in price, what is the difference in taste?
The East West Lake strawberry plantation has 16 years of experience in the cultivation of strawberries. Grower Lu Muyi said that there are typically three kinds of strawberries found in the market, the “Falandi”, "Hongyan", "Jinyao". “Falandi” is around 10 yuan ($1.61 USD) per 500 grams, while "Jin Yao" and "Hongyan are almost the same at 20 to 30 yuan ($3.22-$4.83 USD). "In fact, the strawberries look very similar, but if you look more carefully, you will be able to distinguish the difference.”
Currently the wholesale for strawberries are at around 5-10 yuan per half a kilo, while the retail prices are at 15- 20 yuan. The East West Lake Jinong Walter company, a company engaged in organic strawberry planting, shared that their prices are a lot more expensive at 136 yuan ($21.90 USD) per half a kilo. According to the company's general manager Wei Xiaoming, organic strawberry yields are low, with outputs only 1/3 of normal strawberries. The price is greatly increased once you add in the high cost of cultivation.
