There are very few strawberries around in Europe at the moment, as the Dutch, Belgian and UK seasons come an end. The Egyptian season is yet to get started. This week we have seen both US and Australian strawberries on the shelves.
"There are still some UK strawberries from glasshouse and outdoor tunnels, but the dull weather in recent weeks has meant there is little volume," said Ben Goodchild from Nationwide Produce. "The Dutch and Belgians also have small volumes, but the Dutch fruit is around £48 a box delivered to the UK as we speak, this will only increase until we get more volumes from elsewhere."
As would be expected at this price demand might slow, but people will buy them if they really want them.
Looking forward to the Egyptian season, which is expected to start 18th of November, Ben thinks is will probably be a bit later getting underway in any meaningful volume.
"At the start there will not be enough fruit to meet demand, but volumes will increase eventually. Morocco has planted less strawberries this season as they move into growing more blueberries and raspberries. My concern again this year is that the UK's quota on strawberry imports from Egypt has still not been lifted yet, there was supposedly talks between the relevant parties in the last couple of years but nothing seems to have changed."
When the quota of 6,000,000,000 kg has been filled a 10% tariff is added to all strawberry imports from Egypt. As imports increase the quota is being reached earlier each season, in the 2022-23 season the quota was reached on 24th January, in 2023-24 it was filled by 5th January. With volumes already short when will it be filled this season?
For more information:
Ben Goodchild
Nationwide Produce
Tel: +44 (0)1386 424800
Email: [email protected]
www.nationwideproduce.com