Fresh Strawberry Market Size and Share
Fresh Strawberry Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The fresh strawberry market size recorded USD 14.7 billion in 2024 and is forecast to reach USD 18.0 billion by 2030, advancing at a 4.1% CAGR. Rising year-round retail demand, greater use of protected cultivation, and rapid adoption of day-neutral genetics underpin this growth path. Supermarket chains now treat uninterrupted supply as a competitive necessity, prompting investments in greenhouse and high-tunnel acreage that already account for 28% of global infrastructure. Demand from beverage and dairy processors for puree, concentrate, and powder adds pricing stability. The involvement of key stakeholders across the value chain, from genetics providers to cold-chain logistics firms, is accelerating market maturity, particularly in export-focused regions. The Asia-Pacific region is estimated to exhibit the highest growth rate through 2030, while Europe remains the largest regional market by value, driven by high per capita consumption and demand for premium products.
Key Report Takeaways
- By geography, Europe commanded the largest fresh strawberry market share at 28% in 2024, while Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region with a 5.8% CAGR to 2030.
Global Fresh Strawberry Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expanding off-season supermarket demand | +0.8% | North America and Europe, and global spillover | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Growth in protected cultivation acreage | +0.7% | Europe and Asia-Pacific, and scaling in North America | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Adoption of Day-Neutral and Ever-Bearing Cultivars | +0.6% | North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rise of online wholesale trading platforms | +0.4% | Asia-Pacific and global rollout | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Rising processor demand for puree and concentrate | +0.5% | North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Carbon-footprint labeling boosting local premiums | +0.3% | Europe and North America | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Expanding Off-Season Supermarket Demand
Year-round availability moved from novelty to retail norm, creating a steady pull for imports from counter-season regions and protected-environment suppliers. 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 15% annually. Trials in Oregon showed that tunnels extend the picking season by up to eight weeks and cut disease pressure. Naturipe Farms quadrupled greenhouse output using solar-powered, closed-loop water systems that deliver yields three times higher than field production. AI-assisted climate controls optimize humidity, temperature, and CO₂, ensuring consistent berries and lowering 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 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. Integration of inventory, traceability, and quality data enhances planning accuracy for both producers and buyers, reducing waste across the chain.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm-labor shortages and higher wages | −1.2% | North America and Europe | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Climate-driven extreme weather volatility | −0.9% | Global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Soil-borne disease and pesticide resistance | −0.7% | North America and Europe | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| High price volatility for a highly perishable crop | −0.6% | Global | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Farm-Labor Shortages and Higher Wages
H-2A certifications quadrupled in ten years, reaching 400,000 in 2024, as domestic availability tightened. Florida’s immigration law erased an estimated USD 12.6 billion in state output, confirming the macro impact of restricted labor [3]Florida Policy Institute, "Florida HB 1617/SB 1718: Potential Economic and Fiscal Impact", floridapolicy.org. Labor can exceed 40% of grower costs, pushing 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, and temperature spikes degraded sugar content and shelf life. Shifting seasons disrupt planting calendars, forcing growers to hedge with extra plantings and weather insurance. Controlled-environment systems offer partial protection but demand higher capital outlays.
Geography Analysis
Europe maintained the largest regional share at 28%, translating to USD 4.1 billion in 2024 value. Spain shipped 250.33 million metric tons valued at USD 811.8 million. The Netherlands relies on greenhouse production to maximize limited land and has captured USD 381.3 million in exports. Tight pesticide rules force rapid adoption of resistant genetics and biocontrols, nudging growers toward premium segments.
Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region with a 5.8% CAGR, supported by increasing purchases from urban households in China in 2024. Japan sells premium cultivars overseas, posting USD 35.7 million in strawberry exports in 2024. South Korea places strawberries third among agricultural exports. Indoor farms in Singapore and the Gulf seek to emulate Japan’s high-quality cultivation model for regional consumption.
The Middle East and Africa advance at a 4.9% CAGR. Egypt expanded acreage to 50,000 acres, adopting University of Florida genetics across 95% of plantings and growing exports from 17,593 metric tons in 2020 to 30,017 metric tons in 2024. Turkey remains the third-largest global producer, benefiting from a suitable climate and proximity to Europe. Emerging indoor projects in Saudi Arabia and the UAE target food security and premium local demand. North America followed closely with a steady 4.2% CAGR. California harvested 846.0 thousand metric tons, 88% of the United States' production, yet faces labor limits and soil disease threats. Mexico filled winter windows, shipping 199.9 thousand metric tons worth USD 846.3 million in 2024. Florida, valued at USD 1 billion in output, confronts higher compliance costs and Neopestalotiopsis pressure.
Recent Industry Developments
- December 2024: Ohalo Genetics, Inc. developed strawberry plants resistant to neopestalotiopsis by using its advanced breeding technology platform and genetic resources from UF/IFAS. The company integrated this resistance trait into existing University of Florida strawberry varieties. These neopestalotiopsis-resistant varieties will undergo non-commercial, experimental trials in 2025.
- September 2024: Plenty Unlimited Inc. established the world's first large-scale indoor vertical farm for berry production. The Plenty Richmond Farm utilizes 30-foot-tall towers within a 40,000-square-foot facility to achieve an annual production capacity of over 1.8 thousand metric tons of strawberries. Through a partnership with Driscoll's, the facility combines Plenty's vertical farming technology with Driscoll's proprietary genetics. The farm will begin supplying strawberries to consumers in early 2025.
- April 2023: The University of California, Davis, released five new strawberry varieties: UC Eclipse, UC Golden Gate, UC Keystone, UC Monarch, and UC Surfline. These varieties feature Fusarium wilt resistance, improved flavor profiles, and characteristics enabling nearly year-round cultivation.
Global Fresh Strawberry Market Report Scope
| North America | United States |
| Canada | |
| Mexico | |
| South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | |
| Chile | |
| Europe | Germany |
| Spain | |
| France | |
| Russia | |
| Poland | |
| Asia-Pacific | China |
| Japan | |
| India | |
| South Korea | |
| Middle East | Turkey |
| Saudi Arabia | |
| U.A.E | |
| Africa | Egypt |
| Morocco | |
| South Africa |
| By Geography (Production Analysis (Volume), Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value), Import Analysis (Volume and Value), Export Analysis (Volume and Value), and Price Trend Analysis) | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| South America | Brazil | |
| Argentina | ||
| Chile | ||
| Europe | Germany | |
| Spain | ||
| France | ||
| Russia | ||
| Poland | ||
| Asia-Pacific | China | |
| Japan | ||
| India | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Middle East | Turkey | |
| Saudi Arabia | ||
| U.A.E | ||
| Africa | Egypt | |
| Morocco | ||
| South Africa | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How large is the fresh strawberry market in 2025?
The fresh strawberry market is valued at USD 14.7 billion in 2025, continuing its 4.1% CAGR trajectory toward USD 18.0 billion by 2030.
Which region shows the fastest growth in demand?
Asia-Pacific leads with a projected 5.8% CAGR through 2030 as consumption surges in China, Japan, and South Korea.
What farming method is gaining the most traction?
Vertical and other controlled-environment systems are expanding at a 9% CAGR, driven by climate resilience and year-round output.
Why are day-neutral varieties important?
Day-neutral plants fruit continuously from mid-summer to fall, yielding up to 9.07 metric ton an acre and reducing labor bottlenecks.
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