A surplus of Egyptian and Israeli strawberries at the start of the season pushed down prices on the open market, according to Agrexco UK general manager Amos Orr - but the situation is now starting to turn around.

“The prices from the supermarkets were also a little below average at the start of the season, as they could not handle the high volume,” said Orr. “Also, up until relatively recently there was still some European product available - Dutch, Belgian and UK - and as Israel and Egypt supplied more than usual, this created a surplus.”

However, since week 51 that situation has changed, according to Orr, with a shortage between the early and late varieties meaning prices on the open market should increase.

“The weather conditions in Israel have also changed - up to week 50 the weather was fine, with very little rain, but now it has turned colder. There have also been a number of Muslim holidays affecting picking, and therefore volume,” he adds.

Agrexco pegs overall strawberry volumes this season to be up 25 per cent on last year.

Topics