The Swiss strawberry season is now gradually picking up speed: 22 metric tons were harvested in the week after Easter, and around 1,000 metric tons per week are expected during the main harvest period from May 19 to June 14. The Swiss Fruit Association is expecting a good harvest totaling 7,500 metric tons. The quality so far has been excellent, it added.
According to Tobi Seeobst AG, the crops have overwintered well, and the potential for an attractive harvest is there. The Thurgau-based cooperative started this year's harvest around a week later than last year, with the first regional strawberries arriving on April 20. "The weather in March and April was dry and warmer than average until the end of calendar week 18. Accordingly, conditions were ideal for a good start to the season, with very good quality," said product manager Martin Egger when asked.
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"In calendar week 19, however, we are experiencing a real cold snap and wet weather with maximum temperatures of only around 10 degrees Celsius. This is significantly halting the current ripening process until the nice weather returns, which is expected at the end of this week," Egger continued. "However, we can generally look forward to a good strawberry harvest, provided the weather cooperates in the coming weeks. Our peak harvest is expected in weeks 21-22."
For more information:
www.swissfruit.ch/
www.tobi-fruechte.ch/de
