Florida's winter strawberry harvest is underway, with growers in Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties producing fruit across roughly 16,000 acres (6,475 hectares) from December through March. The crop represents about US$500 million in annual statewide production.
Planting took place between late September and late October, and harvesting has now begun, said Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder and professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Whitaker noted that about 88 per cent of strawberry varieties grown in Florida originate from UF/IFAS breeding programs.
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Vance Whitaker
Two recently commercialized UF/IFAS varieties, Ember and Encore, have expanded rapidly. Last season, the two accounted for about 13 per cent of planted acreage. This season, Ember represents 35 per cent and Encore 18 per cent, totaling approximately 53 per cent of Florida's strawberry acreage. According to Whitaker, these varieties produce strong early yields and show improved flavor, shelf life, and disease resistance compared with older cultivars.
Florida Brilliance is the next most widely planted cultivar, representing about 27 per cent of acreage.
The UF/IFAS strawberry breeding program, established in 1948, has released dozens of cultivars now grown globally. Whitaker said breeders focus on meeting grower and consumer expectations for appearance, texture, and flavor.
© University of Florida
Encore variety.
Whitaker also developed a specialty variety known as the pineberry, which is pale in color and has an aroma reminiscent of pineapple. Pineberries are grown on about 325 acres, a level that has remained steady in recent seasons. They are expected to appear again in retail markets carrying Florida strawberries, though volumes remain limited.
Strawberries in retail outlets are generally not marketed by cultivar name, but consumers can identify Florida-grown product through store labeling or by consulting produce managers.
For more information:
University of Florida
Tel: +1 352 392 1365
www.blogs.ifas.ufl.edu
