Norway: Record high strawberry prices after fungus ravages crops

Norwegian strawberry prices remain high after grey rot (Botrytis cinerea) plagued growers, leading to up to 50% losses for some. Consistently wet weather made the strawberries susceptible to the fungus and once affected, the berries turn grey and rot. To minimize infection in strawberry fields, good ventilation around the berries is important to prevent moisture being trapped among leaves and berries.

"Unfortunately, many growers were unaware that the fungus was resistant to fungicides, which is disheartening because this means that there is not much we can do about it. The grey rot first appeared around the 19th of June and the rains started a few days later. Decreased production has caused prices to rise to a level we have never seen before in Norway." said Odd Tore Nøding from Agderbær & Grønt AS.

Berry growers’ group Agderbær and one of Norway’s powerful farming lobby organizations, Norges Bondelag, were recently declined financial assistance from the Swedish Ministry of Agriculture for what they called an “extraordinary” situation.

While state officials refused to provide more financial aid to the farmers, they did agree to support studies of the strawberry plants’ resistance problems.

Agriculture Minister Jon Georg Dale, from the conservative Progress Party, had earlier expressed that the farmers must be responsible for their own risk and losses.

The state does offer compensation for berry crops that are damaged by frost or other climate-related problems, but doesn't cover the fungus issues that growers are now battling. Despite it, most likely, being a direct result of the heavy rain at the start of the season.

"The season is now coming to a close in the southern region of Norway. We expect things to return to usual next year, with high quality strawberries." concluded Nøding.