Patrick Claassen strawberries William Versteegh Fruitmasters

Auction leader Patrick Claassen hands over the first strawberries to William Versteegh of Fruitmasters

The first strawberries of the Dutch season have gone on sale, with a special charity auction giving the event a special resonance in the Netherlands.

The fruit was sold at the end of last week for €384, or €48 per box, with all of the proceeds going to the Netherlands' national charity for multiple sclerosis.

As reported by Klik Nieuws, the strawberries were auctioned by supplier Royal Fruitmasters in Geldermalsen under its premium quality label Prestige.

The berries were of the variety Sonata and produced by grower Jan van de Elzen in Uden, in the southern Dutch region of Noord-Brabant.