Fresh strawberries available for longer
The traditional system of outdoor production confined the strawberry season to four to six weeks.
But the increasing practice of using glasshouses and polythene and tunnel systems is leading to dramatic changes in production.
It has already resulted in fresh Irish-grown strawberries being available between April and November.
The value of strawberries has also more than doubled during the last few years. Annual production is now in excess of 4,500 tonnes.
Dr Eamonn Kehoe, soft fruit adviser with Teagasc, said the new systems give much higher yields and more consistent quality than outdoor production.
An increasing proportion of strawberries are now grown in glasshouses which were previously used for salad crops.
Dr Kehoe said the bulk of strawberries grown under cover are produced in peat-filled bags, placed on shelves. This allows for better crop management and faster packing.
"The new technology has led to greater flexibility and makes it possible to grow strawberries anywhere in the country.
"However, due to higher sunlight levels in the east and south east, growers in these areas have a competitive advantage due to earlier ripening", he said.
In spite of the rapid expansion in home production, Dr Kehoe said some supermarkets are importing fresh strawberries, particularly from the US, at periods when high quality Irish fruit is available. He called for better planning and communication between growers and supermarkets in order to reduce these gaps in supply.
Meanwhile, roadside sellers of perishable fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, are now able to conduct business without the requirement to obtain a casual trading licence, as a result of new regulations introduced from May 1 by Tánaiste Mary Harney.
The exemption for the selling of these goods will cover a specific period in any given year (May 1 September 30) and will be restricted to growers or their agents or employees. It will cover perishable fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and new potatoes, which are traditionally sold by the roadside and in town streets.
"The exemption for the selling of these products from detailed regulation will be good for the consumer who will have greater access to fresh produce. Growers and producers will also benefit from the removal of this regulatory burden," the Tánaiste said.
