Rastislav Búgel
From Slovakia
This year the strawberries are ripening about two weeks earlier. Therefore, the first self-collections are already opening their doors.
Source: TASR/Roman Hanc
This year’s spring is unusually warm. This was also reflected in the harvest of strawberries, which ripen approximately two to three weeks earlier.
There will be fewer strawberries
“The second fluctuation in this year’s weather, to which strawberries also responded, are spring ground frosts. Growers did their best to protect the future crop at the time of flowering. In the orchards, they heated the air with candles, covered the seedlings with fabric, and even deployed helicopters to combat the cold night temperatures, which pushed the warmer air towards the ground.” informs the Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Food (SPPK).
However, even the enormous effort did not help much. According to SPPK, we will collect approximately 40% less strawberries this year than the growers had anticipated.
Dozens of sites
Since the strawberries have already begun to ripen, the first self-harvests are opened to the public during these days. Strawberry fields are traditionally the first to open in the south and southwest of Slovakia, while locations at higher altitudes will gradually be added.
This year, pickers can visit some of the more than 40 strawberry fields throughout Slovakia.
Which strawberries are the best?
The Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Foodstuffs warns that strawberries bloom and ripen in three to four phases. “The first ones tend to be bigger and there is naturally the greatest interest in them, since after a year a fresh and healthy harvest comes from Slovak fields. Strawberries in the later stages of ripening are smaller, but much juicier and sweeter. They are ideal, for example, for the home production of jams,” experts explain.
“For the grower, it is also a form of satisfaction when he sees the number of customers who come to pick strawberries. We are very happy about it, because the consumer can collect a tasty crop himself and he will help us with the harvesting, since due to the lack of part-time workers we would not be able to collect the entire amount of strawberries per season. In addition, the contact between the consumer and the grower, the visibility of local production is exactly what we need,” says Marián Varga, president of the Fruit Union of Slovakia.
How will prices change?
As we have already mentioned, fruit growers expect a lower harvest. Some growers will have to reflect part of the cost of frost protection in the prices.
According to SPPK, where they had to fight with frost, the prices of strawberries will rise by approximately 5 to 7 percent. “Those growers who were not affected by the frosts are not planning to raise prices,” delivered by the Slovak Chamber of Agriculture and Food.
Strawberries start the self-harvesting season in Slovakia every year. In addition to strawberries, some growers also offer peas, and gradually apricots, peaches and later apples will follow. Strawberries are grown in our country on an area of approximately 200 hectares, and production ranges from 1,000 to 1,500 tons.
If you plan to visit a self-picking site, keep an eye on the website and social networks of your favorite strawberry farm. As we mentioned, the season is just starting and individual locations are opening gradually.
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Photo: illustrative
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Source: TASR
Source: Dnes24.sk
