Which Country Produces the Most Strawberries?

Introduction to Global Strawberry Production

Strawberries are one of the most beloved fruits around the world. Their sweet, succulent flavor makes them an essential ingredient in everything from breakfasts to desserts. But when it comes to commercial strawberry farming, some countries dominate over others. So which country produces the most strawberries?

Contrary to what some may think, the United States does not produce the most strawberries globally. That honor goes to China, which grows over double the quantity of strawberries as the US. The top five strawberry producing countries are:

1. China – 3.2 million tonnes
2. United States – 1.3 million tonnes
3. Mexico – 581,623 tonnes
4. Egypt – 530,000 tonnes
5. Turkey – 487,148 tonnes

Table 1. Top 5 Strawberry Producing Countries by Volume

But how did China grow to become such a world leader in strawberry farming? And what are some interesting facts about the global strawberry industry? Keep reading to learn more.

The Rise of China as the Largest Strawberry Producer

China is the world’s dominant strawberry producing country by a large margin. Specific details about China’s massive strawberry production include:

• Produces 3.2 million metric tonnes annually, over 2x as many as the United States.
• Strawberry farming is primarily concentrated in the Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei, and Henan provinces of China.
• The leading strawberry varieties grown in China are Sweet Charlie, Benihoppe, and Akihime.
• The strawberry harvesting season in most Chinese growing regions is from November through May.
• Strawberry production has steadily grown for decades thanks to heavy government prioritization. In fact, China’s annual strawberry yields have doubled in the last 20 years alone.

Interesting Facts About Chinese Strawberry Farming Practices

• China possesses ideal climate conditions for strawberries with its mix of cold winters and hot summers. This allows for an exceptionally long growing season.
• Strawberry greenhouses in China can be massive in size, measuring over 10 hectares (25 acres) under one roof.
• Some large Chinese strawberry operations utilize vertical farming technology like stacked rows or columns to maximize space and yields.
• China exports large quantities of its strawberries to other Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines as well as Middle Eastern regions.

With continued heavy investment in agricultural technology and infrastructure, China’s dominance in global strawberry production seems likely to persist in the long term.

The Chinese Government’s Role in Strawberry Farming

One of the main drivers behind China’s astronomical growth in strawberry production is strategic government prioritization. Here are some of the ways China’s government has supported the rise of its giant strawberry industry:

• Subsidies for strawberry farmers – Chinese farmers receive financial incentives from the government to switch to strawberry farming or expand existing operations. This reduces cost barriers to entering the industry.
• Investment in R&D – The Chinese government pours resources into agricultural research and development, spearheading innovative strawberry cultivation methods and new varieties optimized for Chinese growing conditions.
• Infrastructure development – Massive investments have been made in irrigation, greenhouses, cold storage and transportation infrastructure for strawberries.
• Export assistance – Programs exist to aid Chinese strawberry exporters including subsidized shipping costs and help accessing international markets.
• Favorable policies – Strawberry farming receives favorable tax policies, reduced land fees, and simplified regulatory processes as part of the government’s agricultural development priorities.

With this high level of government support driving growth, the gap between China and other major producers seems destined to keep widening.

Strawberry Production in the United States

The United States is the 2nd largest strawberry producer in the world, though its production is dwarfed by the output of China. Here are some key facts about the US strawberry farming industry:

• The US produces around 1.3 million metric tonnes of strawberries annually.
• The primary strawberry growing regions in the US are California, Florida, Oregon, Washington, and New York.
• The most widely grown strawberry varieties in the US are Chandler, Camarosa, Albion and Driscoll.
• Harvest seasons range from November-June depending on the region and climate.
• In 2020, strawberries brought in $2.2 billion in total revenue for American farmers across the country.

Challenges Currently Facing the US Strawberry Industry

While still a major global producer, the US strawberry industry faces some strong headwinds:

• Rising competition from Mexican imports – Cheaper labor and production costs in Mexico are putting pressure on US strawberry farmers. Mexico supplies the majority of US strawberries from December to March.
• Vulnerability to weather events – Adverse weather like winter freezes, hail storms and droughts can devastate strawberry crops and drastically reduce yields.
• Ongoing farm labor shortages – Securing sufficient seasonal farm labor is an escalating challenge in the US, particularly following Covid-19 travel restrictions.
• High production costs – Factors like rising land prices and stricter regulations make the US a high cost production environment compared to countries like China and Mexico.

While still a strong producer, the US will need to overcome these challenges in order to maintain, much less increase, its strawberry production volumes in the future.

Leading US States for Strawberry Farming

California absolutely dominates US strawberry production, accounting for over 80% of the country’s total volume. Here is a breakdown of the top strawberry producing US states:

• California – Produces 1.1 million tonnes annually, making it the undisputed heavyweight champion of American strawberry farming. The ideal climate and soil conditions have helped this state massively outproduce any other.
• Florida – Contributes about 175,000 tonnes per year, mostly from its winter strawberry crop grown in the Plant City region east of Tampa.
• Oregon – Ranks 3rd in US production with around 20,000 annual tonnes. The Willamette Valley offers excellent growing conditions.
• Washington – Generates around 18,000 tonnes yearly, mostly from small scale farms rather than large operations.
• New York – Produces approximately 10,000 tonnes annually from smaller operations around the Great Lakes region.

While California dominates, states like Florida and Oregon contribute meaningfully to total US annual strawberry output. But altogether, they still pale in comparison to a strawberry giant like China.

Other Major Strawberry Producers Worldwide

Beyond China, the US and Mexico, there are several countries with substantial strawberry industries:

Egypt

• Egypt produces around 530,000 tonnes of strawberries annually, making it the 4th largest global producer.
• The Nile Delta region provides ideal growing conditions for strawberries with its fertile soil, abundant water supply and favourable winter temperatures.
• Egypt focuses heavily on exports to Europe during the off-season winter months when demand is high.
• Strawberry fields rely on intricate irrigation systems that pump water from the Nile Delta canals.

Turkey

• With around 487,000 tonnes produced per year, Turkey ranks 5th globally in strawberry output.
• The Mediterranean coastal region and Central Anatolia provide excellent climates for mass strawberry production.
• Turkey is a critical exporter, sending over 300,000 tonnes annually to Russia, its largest export market.
• The industry utilizes modern growing techniques like vertical farming and hydroponics to maximize yields.

Spain

• Spain generates approximately 300,000 tonnes of strawberries per year, making it a notable European producer.
• The prime Spanish growing regions are Huelva and Los Palacios south of Seville.
• Spain strategically times its peak production in March-June to target exported markets.
• Major export destinations are Germany, France and United Kingdom.

Poland

• Poland provides around 160,000 tonnes annually, focusing heavily on exports.
• Polish strawberry farming relies on smaller operations rather than huge industrial farms.
• Almost all Polish strawberries are grown in unheated tunnel greenhouses rather than open fields.
• Russia and Germany are the primary export markets.

South Korea

• South Korea produces approximately 130,000 tonnes of strawberries per year.
• Most Korean strawberries come from Province, thanks to its ideal climate.
• The industry utilizes high-tech vertical farming methods within indoor facilities.
• Imports still dominate the Korean market due to high domestic prices.

In addition to these countries, India, Japan, Italy, and Australia all have substantial strawberry industries as well.

Global Strawberry Industry Analysis and Forecast

Let’s look at some key data points and projections related to the worldwide strawberry industry:

• Global strawberry production in 2020 was approximately 9.2 million tonnes.
• By 2027, world strawberry production is forecasted to reach 12.3 million tonnes, representing 33% growth from current levels.
• The value of the global strawberry market was around $14.2 billion in 2020. This is expected to grow to over $20 billion by 2027.
• Leading producers like China, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico will account for the bulk of the projected production increase based on available land, investments, and export focus.
• Developing regions with the right climate conditions like Southeast Asia and many African countries have potential for future production expansion.
• Growing global demand for out-of-season berries will drive continued growth in protected agriculture methods such as greenhouses, tunnels and vertical farming.
• Rising populations and incomes in Asian markets are fueling particularly strong demand growth in that region.

Strawberry Consumption Trends

Looking at consumption patterns and trends:

• Per capita annual strawberry consumption is highest in major producing countries, led by Turkey (7.2kg), Egypt (4.5kg), Spain (3.6kg), and Poland (3.2kg).
• Europe and North America have high consumption rates relative to production, meaning they rely heavily on imported strawberries.
• Consumers increasingly demand year-round availability, prompting supply growth from exporters and importers.
• Organic strawberries command significant price premiums in developed markets and are forecast to gain market share.
• New strawberry-based products are rising in popularity, including frozen blends, dried fruit, strawberry powder, and strawberry-flavored snacks.

Future Outlook

Based on both supply and demand trends, the future looks bright for the global strawberry industry. Production volumes and revenues are projected to continue increasing over the next 5-10 years. While China will likely maintain dominance, there is room for emerging players to boost their strawberry production and capture new export opportunities.

Satisfying peak season demand will remain crucial. But focusing on off-season production and new product innovations may present the most lucrative avenues for long term growth.

Why China Dominates Global Strawberry Production

China’s rise to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of global strawberry production begs the question – how did they do it? There are several key factors that explain China’s astronomical growth in strawberry farming:

Favorable Geographic and Climatic Conditions

China possesses natural advantages when it comes to suitable geography and climate for mass strawberry cultivation:

• Long growing seasons – China’s mix of cold winters and hot summers extends the strawberry harvest period to up to 6 months in many regions.
• Ample agricultural land – China has expansive tracts of flat, fertile cropland in northern coastal provinces like Shandong and Liaoning.
• Early spring – Fruits mature earlier in China’s climates compared to other major producers, facilitating exports.
• Few crop threats – Pests, plant diseases, and adverse weather are less prevalent in China relative to other strawberry regions.
• Irrigation capabilities – Extensive waterworks infrastructure from canals to reservoirs supports large-scale irrigation.

Heavily Invested Infrastructure and Technology

The Chinese government has devoted massive financial resources into infrastructure and technology tailored to maximize strawberry yields:

• State-of-the-art greenhouses – From materials to climate control systems, China’s strawberry greenhouses are world-class.
• Advanced irrigation systems – Drip irrigation, tunnels, and mulches optimize water usage and soil moisture.
• Logistics infrastructure – An extensive cold chain network ensures prompt delivery to markets.
• Production innovations – China rapidly adopts the latest techniques from vertical farming to hydroponics.
• Mechanization – Equipment and automation reduce reliance on labor and boost efficiency.

By reducing production costs and risks while maximizing productivity, this infrastructure gives China a strong edge.

Generous Government Subsidies and Support

As detailed earlier, strategic government prioritization of the strawberry industry has been crucial:

• Financial incentives lower investment barriers to new farmers transitioning to strawberries.
• R&D investments speed development of uniquely Chinese varieties and production methods.
• Export assistance opens doors to new international markets.
• Favorable tax treatment and policies encourage more investment into strawberry operations.

Without this strong government backing, China would lack the thriving giant strawberry industry we see today.

Future Outlook for China’s Strawberry Production Dominance

Given these advantages, what is the future outlook for China’s giant strawberry industry and its continued global dominance?

Barring any major changes in priorities, policies, or unforeseen circumstances, China is projected to extend its lead in strawberry output over the coming decade.

Its geographic and climatic conditions provide inherent, lasting benefits that other major producers lack. Continued infrastructure upgrades through government modernization programs will also maintain China’s technical edge.

Furthermore, China is poised to capitalize on projected demand growth from expanding export markets in developing Asian regions. Its close proximity to these importing countries is yet another strategic asset.

However, there are some factors that could disrupt China’s growth trajectory:

• Reduced government support – Lower subsidies and shifted priorities could slow expansion.
• Rising domestic costs – Wages, land prices, etc. may eventually erode competitive advantages against other low cost producers.
• Water shortages – China’s water supply challenges could constrain agricultural production.
• Import competition – Lower-cost producers like India or Africa could grab export market share.

Barring major disruptions, China is likely to continue its dominance in strawberry output through 2030 and beyond. But its growth rate may gradually slow, opening doors for other emerging producers worldwide.

Final Takeaways on Global Strawberry Production

To wrap up key points on worldwide strawberry farming:

• With 3.2 million tonnes grown annually, China is the top strawberry producer globally and has over double the output of second-place United States.
• Strategic government support, infrastructure investment, and ideal climate conditions have facilitated China’s rise as the “Strawberry King”.
• The US faces competitive pressures from Mexican imports and regional disadvantages limiting production growth.
• Global demand for both in-season and year-round strawberries will continue rising significantly.
• Leading producers like China and Mexico seem poised to capitalize through production growth and exports.
• While dominant, China may see its growth advantage slowly diminish over the long term if domestic costs rise significantly.

The bottom line is that when it comes to global strawberry production, China reigns supreme today and will likely continue its dominance through the next decade. While its growth pace may slow, China will remain the world’s foremost strawberry powerhouse for the foreseeable future.