The berry season has begun at the Riga Central Market. Imported strawberries can already be purchased from two euros per kilogram, the first chanterelles have appeared, but buyers will still have to wait for the mass harvest of local strawberries and forest strawberries.
Before Līgo, the main stars of the Riga Central Market have become strawberries and garden strawberries. The stalls are filled with berries from Poland, Greece, and local farms, but the price difference remains significant, writes Latvijas Avīze.
While imported strawberries can currently be purchased for just two euros per kilogram, Latvian berries cost between 7 and 12 euros. Larger and select imported strawberries are sold for 3.50–4 euros per kilogram.
Despite the higher price, local products find their buyers. However, there are still few of these berries on the market.
Farmer Iveta Plata from the Code parish in the Bauska region explains this by the weather.
"Strawberries from open ground will be delayed this year because there is little sun and the berries are ripening poorly. We need at least three warm and sunny days to expect a good harvest," she says.
Currently, the farm is selling strawberries grown in film tunnels. The price is 12 euros per kilogram, and the berries are packaged in half-kilogram containers, as this is the volume most often chosen by buyers.
According to the farmer, there are very few sellers left in the market who sell their own grown strawberries.
"I believe it is fair to the customers, who can be completely confident in the origin of the berries," notes Plata.
Forest strawberries are not yet visible in the market, but the first chanterelles have appeared. Their season is just beginning, so the price remains high.
"Since early morning, sellers of chanterelles could be seen at the market. Despite the completely unreasonably high price, the mushrooms sold out quickly," said tomato seller from the 'Dijskudras' farm, Zhanna.
According to her, she is uncomfortable seeing people collect even the smallest mushrooms that have just appeared in the forest for quick profit.
Meanwhile, the market is alive not only with berries. Customers are offered Spanish and Moroccan blueberries, Greek cherries, peaches, apricots, and other seasonal fruits.
Latvian vegetables are also widely represented. At Iveta Plata's farm, early potatoes are sold for 2–2.20 euros per kilogram, cucumbers cost 2.80 euros, and cauliflower is around five euros per kilogram.
The weather this season affects the harvest of various crops differently.
"If the rains continue, the potatoes will start to crack. Cucumbers have slowed their growth due to too cold nights. However, beets, cauliflower, and broccoli are growing well," assesses the situation the farmer.
Thus, before Līgo, buyers can already expect a wide selection of berries and vegetables, but the main harvest of Latvian strawberries from open ground, according to producers' forecasts, will only appear closer to the holidays.
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