Strawberries Growth and Production in Australia (2020)

Even though the strawberries are found mostly in the domestic market, this industry started expanding in 2017-18. Some of the countries that Australia has exported to are Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. This fruit is grown all across the country by about 500 growers. Nevertheless, the majority of production occurs in the Sunshine Coast Area of Queensland and the Yarra Valley. Strawberries flourish in the subtropical regions from May to October. Additionally, they are also favourable from October to June. Currently, there is a continuous investment in this industry.

Statistics of Strawberries

As of June 2020:

1. 82,310 tonnes of strawberries were produced and valued at $435 million. Out of this, 7% was sent for processing and preservation.
2. 74% of Australians purchased this fruit while on their shopping haul. Hence, Australians bought an average of 279 grams per shopping trip.
3. The supply per capita was estimated at 2.6 kg, based on the volume supplied.
4. The wholesale value of the fresh supply was recorded at $472.6 million. From this amount, $411 million was distributed into retail and the rest went into food service.

Major Production Areas

Even though strawberries are grown all across the states of Australia, there are a few regions that specialize in this production. They are Beerwah, Camden, the Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills and Albany. The increase in production is mainly due to the increase in consumption.

International Trade

Australia has dominantly been a net exporter of strawberries. In fact, the exports have significantly increased in the present years. In 2020, the country successfully exported 4,678 tonnes of this fruit. Additionally, 22 per cent of the total trade was sent to Singapore. Some of the other countries that received Australian strawberries are Thailand, New Zealand and Hong Kong. Frozen fruit is also a popular delicacy in the international market.