Despite the late spring, the strawberries were harvested at the regular time, but the warm and extremely dry month of May could lead to an abundance of strawberries in early summer and a shortage later in summer. “The heat is bad for the plants, so that we will harvest less than expected, although many varieties can now be harvested at the same time,” says Ulf Sturesson, strawberry grower in Stora Frö, in the south of Öland. This week, the first strawberries from cold soil will be in shops. This isn’t extremely early or late, because the warm and sunny month of May compensated for the cold spring. But drought can also be harmful. In the past two weeks, Ulf Sturesson has had to irrigate his strawberry plants every day.
No late varieties this year
Because the ripening process has been speeded up, there’s a significant danger the strawberry season will finish quickly this year. When there’s a shortage later in summer, this could possibly lead to higher prices. Ulf Sturesson is therefore hoping for more rain as soon as possible. “We’re hoping for a slightly longer season. The strawberry varieties we normally harvest late June, however, will now be ripe mid-June. That means we won’t be able to supply as many strawberries in July.”
Less sweet
The flavour of the strawberries can also be influenced by the high temperatures, according to Johan Wirblad, chairperson of Kalmarsundgubben, an association for strawberry growers in the region. “You’d prefer slightly cooler nights to stimulate the sugar production of the strawberries. The warm nights have caused strawberries to be less sweet this year.”
Not much rain in the north of Öland
Source: www.svt.se