With the average domestic grown strawberry season in Sweden kicking off around Mother's Day, producers are now in the final stages of preparing for a busy season. With the first boxes expected around the 10th of May.
The planted acreage did not see any increase this season, however, the increase in everbearing strawberry plants that will be able to produce more strawberries in the later months of August, September and October are expected to produce a larger yield to last year.
Along with an increase in the later varieties, strawberry grower Eriksgården are testing a new variety called Malling Centenary which they are hoping will increase production during the early part of the season.
The long, bright summer days and cooler days and nights in Sweden, with temperatures ranging between 20-25 C, are what give their strawberries a nice aroma and balance between acidity and sweetness. Sugar burns faster when strawberries are grown in warmer climates, making the berries less sweet.
The season is pretty short and is pretty much exclusive to the domestic market.
"Strawberries are easily the most eaten fruit during the summer season. Swedes eat about 4-5 litres (2kg) of Swedish berries a year, most of which are during the summer months. It is a really hot product and I would think that if we were to name a National fruit, the strawberry would be it." shared Anita Jansson from Hebe Frukt & Grönt AB.
