German wholesalers fear shortages and high prices at Easter

Some wholesalers are worried about this year's Spanish strawberry season. “The Spanish season started four or five weeks to soon,” explains a German fruit importer and wholesaler. "At the end of the Spanish season these strawberries won’t be available at the market. This could be particularly problematic around Easter. At that time everyone on the market wants strawberries."

Overproduction, poor quality and low prices

A few Spanish producers speak of a “disastrous” Spanish strawberry season. There is overproduction, the quality is poor and the prices are low. High temperatures combined with a high humidity and not enough sunshine has led to an overproduction of strawberries. At the same time the quality decreased. According to some Spanish producers the price for the early varieties is about 70% lower than last year.

Shortages in March

German wholesalers can confirm this impression. “At the end of the year an unusual amount of strawberries were already available. However due to the weather not many customers bought strawberries,” states the importer. At the moment the prices for the red fruit is low, but the trader expects a change in March. “When the demand increases in the spring and the supply decreases the prices will skyrocket.” The wholesaler fears there could be a production shortage.