Strawberry crop keeps economy smiling
Health-conscious Irish consumers are buying more strawberries, which are now available in Ireland much earlier in the season than before.
That means a healthy business here, with the market having grown from E11.3 million in 2001 to E20m in 2004.
On the eve of the June Bank Holiday weekend, Bord Bia and the Irish Soft Fruit Growers Association (ISFGA) said they were delighted about the arrival of the strawberries.
Teresa Brophy, Ireland Market Manager, Bord Bia, said it means consumers can now avail of new season strawberries and enjoy all of their nutritional, health and lifestyle benefits.
Gary McCarthy, ISFGA chairman, said the strawberry season in Ireland runs from May to October, but June is the time when the fruit is at its most plentiful.
Statistics show the frequency of strawberry purchases increased by 13.7% from 2003 to 2004 and the volume spent on each shopping trip increased by 4%. The area of fresh market strawberries produced in Ireland is 178 hectares and valued at around E20.5 million at farmgate level.
