Finland's Strawberries Rebound After 2021's Poor Harvest

Domestic strawberry harvest season has begun in many regions of Finland, returning to normal after last summer's exceptionally warm weather produced an early harvest and an abrupt end to the season, according to the Finnish public broadcasting network Yle.

Photo Insert: The sun and heat are currently hastening the ripening process.

The strawberry harvest season began early and finished swiftly in June 2021 due to the high temperatures. This year, the season will resume at the end of June, as usual.

Although the chilly spring and early summer weather hindered strawberry ripening this year, conditions were still excellent.

"Strawberries like it a little cooler and there has been enough water," says Miikka Ilomäki, Executive Director of the Finnish Association of Fruit and Berry Growers.

The sun and heat are currently hastening the ripening process. "Quality should be perfect this year. Everything has gone as planned, so the harvest will be top-quality and tasty," Ilomäki said. The industry declined to make a price projection for strawberries this year.

However, Raisa Haavikko, executive director of the Berry Growers' Association of the Suonenjoki Region, indicated that a severe price increase was unlikely.

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