- Global strawberry markets showed mixed momentum during Q1’26 as weather-related supply disruptions in Europe tightened availability, while stable greenhouse cultivation in Asia balanced regional supply conditions.
- Production and logistics costs increased due to higher fertilizer, labour, cold-chain transportation, and packaging expenses, while Strait of Hormuz disruptions raised refrigerated shipping and freight uncertainty.
- Demand from retail, dairy, bakery, confectionery, frozen fruit, and beverage sectors remained firm, supported by seasonal consumption and foodservice recovery across major consuming regions.
Strawberry market sentiment remained regionally uneven during Q1’26 due to fluctuating harvest conditions and changing trade flows across Europe, Asia, and North America. In Europe, unfavourable weather in Italy and Greece reduced early-season strawberry yields by nearly 30–40%, tightening premium-grade supply and increasing reliance on greenhouse-grown Belgian and Dutch volumes. Spanish strawberry markets later faced supply pressure as harvest arrivals from Huelva accelerated during the quarter, increasing regional availability. In Asia, greenhouse cultivation in China, Japan, and South Korea supported stable supply, although South Korean strawberry prices rose due to weather-related production disruptions and lower yields. Trade activity weakened in smaller regional markets, with Georgia’s strawberry imports declining to 504 tons in Q1’26 from 646 tons a year earlier, while exports dropped sharply from 122 tons to only 29 tons, reflecting softer regional trade movement. North American markets remained comparatively balanced as California and Florida production supported retail and foodservice demand, although labour shortages and higher cold-storage costs affected harvesting economics. The Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions indirectly increased refrigerated freight and packaging transportation costs, particularly for export-oriented suppliers.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, strawberry markets are expected to remain firm as weather-related supply risks and elevated logistics costs continue influencing global trade flows and procurement activity.