Fresh Strawberry Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Fresh Strawberry Market Trends and Insights

Expanding Off-Season Supermarket Demand

Year-round availability shifted from novelty to a retail norm, creating a steady demand for imports from counter-seasonal regions and suppliers in protected environments. Egypt lifted exports to 30.1 thousand metric tons in 2024, up 18% versus 2023, to capitalize on winter gaps ^{[1]International Trade Centre, "List of importing markets for a product exported by Egypt", trademap.org}. Promotional weeks now account for 43% of retail volume, encouraging growers to extend harvest windows and adopt season-extension technologies. Supermarkets further differentiate by stocking premium lines even during local peaks, reinforcing structural demand for high-quality fruit. Controlled-environment operators benefit most because their output is less weather-dependent and meets strict retail specifications.

Growth in Protected Cultivation Acreage

Greenhouse and high-tunnel acreage have been expanding at a rate of 15% annually. Trials in Oregon have shown that tunnels extend the picking season by up to eight weeks and reduce disease pressure. Naturipe Farms quadrupled its greenhouse output using solar-powered, closed-loop water systems that deliver yields three times higher than those from field production. AI-assisted climate controls optimize humidity, temperature, and CO₂ levels, ensuring consistent berry production and reducing pesticide use. Higher capital costs remain a barrier, but scale and energy-efficiency gains are gradually narrowing the gap. 

Adoption of Day-Neutral and Ever-Bearing Cultivars

Day-neutral lines yield up to 9.07 metric tons an acre compared with 3.18 metric tons per acre for June-bearing crops, distributing labor over a longer period. UC Davis released five Fusarium-resistant selections in 2024, including UC Eclipse, which is designed for high fall and winter output ^{[2]University of California, Davis, "UC Davis Releases 5 Strawberry Varieties Resistant to Deadly Fungal Disease", ucdavis.edu}. Commercial breeders such as California Berry Cultivars launched Castaic and Alhambra, with Castaic topping 8,000 trays per acre. Disease resistance and shelf-life gains enable longer transport and reduce losses, expanding geographic reach for growers.

Rise of Online Wholesale Trading Platforms

Digital exchanges shorten the route from farm to processor, improve price discovery, and open downstream markets for small growers. Users report stronger margins due to lower brokerage fees and faster payment cycles. The platforms gained traction amid pandemic-era disruptions and remain attractive as climate volatility adds pricing uncertainty. The integration of inventory, traceability, and quality data enhances planning accuracy for both producers and buyers, thereby reducing waste throughout the supply chain. 

Farm-Labor Shortages and Higher Wages

H-2A certifications quadrupled over the past decade, reaching 400,000 in 2024, as domestic labor availability tightened. Florida’s immigration law eroded an estimated USD 12.6 billion in state output, underscoring the macroeconomic impact of restricted labor ^{[3]Florida Policy Institute, "Florida HB 1617/SB 1718: Potential Economic and Fiscal Impact", floridapolicy.org}. Labor can account for up to 40% of grower costs, prompting many to trial the Harvest CROO Robotics picker, which can cover up to eight acres per day. Large farms can shoulder automation investments; smaller operations face a higher risk of field losses.

Climate-Driven Extreme Weather Volatility

Persistent rain in early 2025 delayed harvests across several regions by a few weeks, while sudden temperature spikes reduced sugar content and shortened shelf life. As seasonal patterns shift, growers are adjusting planting schedules and increasing buffer plantings to manage risk. Some producers are also adopting weather insurance, though coverage varies. Controlled-environment systems help stabilize quality, but higher capital and operating costs remain a barrier for wider adoption.

Geography Analysis

Europe accounted for the largest regional market share at 28%, with Spain leading as the top producer and exporter, primarily supplying other European nations such as Germany, France, and the UK. Germany is the largest importer and consumer within Europe, while Germany, Poland, and Italy dominate in terms of consumption volume. The Netherlands has optimized its limited land through greenhouse production, achieving exports valued at USD 381.3 million. Strict pesticide regulations have accelerated the adoption of resistant genetics and biocontrol methods, prompting growers to target premium market segments.

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% through 2030, driven by increasing urban household purchases in China in 2024. Japan has focused on exporting premium cultivars, generating USD 35.7 million in strawberry sales in 2024. South Korea ranks as the third-largest agricultural exporter in the region. Indoor farms in Singapore and the Gulf are adopting Japan’s high-quality cultivation practices to cater to regional consumption needs.

The Middle East and Africa represent a rapidly expanding market, Egypt has increased its strawberry acreage to 50,000 acres, with 95% of its plantings utilizing genetics from the University of Florida. Exports have grown from 17,593 metric tons in 2020 to 30,017 metric tons in 2024. Turkey remains the world's third-largest producer, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions and its proximity to Europe. Emerging indoor farming projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE aim to enhance food security and meet the demand for high-quality, locally produced food. North America holds a significant market share, with California harvesting 846.0 thousand metric tons, accounting for 88% of the United States' production. The region faces challenges, including labor shortages and threats from soil-borne diseases. Mexico has addressed winter supply gaps, exporting 199.9 thousand metric tons valued at USD 846.3 million in 2024. Florida, with an output valued at USD 1 billion, faces rising compliance costs and pressures from Neopestalotiopsis.