Strawberry growers face challenges as persistent rain impacts the harvest, affecting availability and pricing in Estonia. Local strawberries initially reached up to €16.90 per kilogram in the capital, while Polish strawberries were priced at €11.90 per kilogram, with local produce at market stalls varying from €8–9 per kilogram.
"Unfortunately, there aren't too many Estonian strawberries on the market this year, which is why prices are higher than last year. The rain has done significant damage to the fields," explained Janika Lindsalu of OÜ Marimarta in Jõgeva County.
In Põlva County, Ranet Roositalu, owner of Joosepi Strawberry Farm, reported, "Right now, for every three tons of strawberries we pick, three tons go straight to the landfill." The rainfall has fostered gray mold, severely diminishing his open-field yields. Roositalu noted the dual threat of excessive moisture and rising temperatures, which attract spider mite infestations. Limited availability of effective plant protection products exacerbates the situation.
Roositalu referenced last year's drought when he contended with spider mites, and despite investing €20,000 in biological control methods, he saw no improvement. This highlights ongoing issues high-tech greenhouse growers need to anticipate and manage.
Source: ERR News
