In Latvia, the first harvest of strawberries may be available by the end of May this year, producers surveyed by the LETA agency predict.
Guntars Dzerve, an agronomist at LLC "Mad Nordic", operating under the brand "Augusta zemenes" and growing strawberries in greenhouses and tunnels, noted that the harvest should be stable, but much still depends on weather conditions.
He also pointed out that in closed areas, those producers who improperly prepared their plantings for winter lost their crops. At the same time, those who were counting on a warm winter also suffered.
In open fields and on beds, strawberries have wintered well in most parts of Latvia, Dzerve emphasized, adding that the harvest will depend on the spring — the more gradual the warming, the easier it will be for producers to work and the more predictable the results will be.
Currently, strawberries are starting to be planted in greenhouses in Talsi, Tukums, Trikata, Valmiera, Skulte, and Vecumnieki, and seedlings from nurseries in the Netherlands and Germany are being delivered to Latvia. According to Dzerve, "Augusta zemenes" has been fully receiving seedlings for the third week now.
He added that mineral fertilizers are currently available steadily, but prices for plant protection products are rising, as are prices for some raw materials.
Dzerve expressed hope that the conflict in the Middle East will not significantly impact strawberry producers and noted that most of them have likely prepared for possible fluctuations in raw material markets.
Speaking about prices, he predicts that they will remain at last year's level — no artificially low prices or sharp increases are expected.
He noted that many farms in Poland and Lithuania are transitioning from open field cultivation to tunnels and closed areas, so a relatively stable price level is expected, although they remain slightly higher than desired for producers.
However, if fuel prices continue to rise and reach 2–2.5 euros per liter, this will inevitably affect the cost of strawberries, Dzerve emphasized.
He added that Latvian producers are actively adopting international experience, which allows them to increasingly grow quality berries in closed conditions, also using biological plant protection methods. According to him, such products will not yield to strawberries from Greece, Spain, or the Netherlands. Over the past year, producers have been actively investing time in training, attending exhibitions, and improving their knowledge.
Zane Silgale, the owner of LLC "Lubeco", representing the "Latvijas zemenes" farm, reported that preparatory work for growing strawberries in greenhouses is currently underway.
She noted that the first berries may appear around the end of May.
According to her, the impact of the severe frosts this winter has not yet been observed, but final conclusions can be made after the completion of the preparatory work. She added that the snow cover contributed to the favorable wintering of the plants.
Silgale also noted that the price of strawberries may be affected by the rising cost of fuel due to increased logistics expenses.
Co-owner of LLC "Mālpils zemenes" Santa Kraukle also indicated that the wintering conditions were favorable due to the combination of frosts and snow cover.
She explained that the first harvest can be judged after the first flowers appear — around mid-May.
According to "Firmas.lv", "Mad Nordic" had a turnover of 205,763 euros and a profit of 27,186 euros in 2024, of which 128,786 euros came from agricultural activities. The company was registered in 2012, with a share capital of 2,800 euros, and the sole owner is Iveta Dzerve.
"Lubeco" had a turnover of 175,687 euros and a profit of 22,744 euros in 2024. The company was registered in 2011, with owners Zane Silgale (55%) and Dzintars Silgals (45%).
"Mālpils zemenes" had a turnover of 618,432 euros and a profit of 2,418 euros in 2024. The company was registered in 2011, with 60% of its shares owned by Ginte Apsite, and Santa Kraukle and Edijs Kleinbergs each owning 20%.
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