In North Carolina, strawberry growers reported yields exceeding initial forecasts despite concerns over Neo-P, a fungal disease identified by the North Carolina Strawberry Association in 2022. In response, growers altered their plant sourcing strategies.
According to CBS 17, many farmers transitioned from Canadian to Californian plant suppliers, with the latter reportedly free from the disease. Strawberry farmer David Pope stated, "Most of them were in good shape," reflecting on the health of the crops after the supplier change.
Pope had expressed concern in March about Neo-P's potential impact, but later confirmed his crops remained unaffected. He noted the appeal of the strawberries, saying, "It's red and gorgeous and it's large. People like large berries. They can fill their bucket quicker."
Despite the absence of Neo-P, Pope highlighted a new challenge: The accelerated crop maturation. "Usually our strawberries are spread out more throughout the season than this year, and I don't know why," Pope remarked. He observed an early flush of strawberries, ideally expected around Mother's Day, which is two weeks away. This shift has prompted concerns about market timing and sales.
Source: CBS 17