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Late arrival of winter affects strawberry production

The production of the fruit has come down by around 33 per cent as several farmers could not sow seeds due to the late arrival of winter season

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The late arrival of winter season has left an impact on cultivation of strawberry, a seasonal fruit which is in huge demand during this time of the year in the city. The production of the fruit has come down by around 33 per cent as several farmers could not sow seeds due to the late arrival of winter season.

In Maharashtra alone, strawberries are cultivated on around 2,500 acres of land. But this year, the fruit was cultivated only on around 1,800 acres of land. Balasaheb Bhillare, president of Strawberry Growers Association of India said, "The late arrival of winter forced several farmers to do away from the cultivation as chances of good yield was very low. This has also impacted on the yield of the fruit." He added that availability of the fruit in the market is less by around 30 to 40 per cent.

The Mumbai Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi has been receiving around 60 to 70 tonnes per day. At present, premium quality strawberry is available at Rs 150 to Rs 160 per kg in Vashi's APMC market.

Sanjay Pansare, former director of the fruit market said, "the wholesale market receives the fruit from Mahabaleshwar, Satara, Nashik, Pune and Karnataka. However, other cultivation centres across India are in Nainital, Dehradun, Kashmir valley, Bangalore and Kalimpong (West Bengal).

Bhillare, the president of Strawberry Growers Association of India is optimistic that the price of strawberries will come down in a fortnight. "The supply will increase by January end and premium quality strawberry will be available at Rs 80 per kg," said Bhillare.

The fruit is also easily available at traffic signals across Mumbai. However, poor production has left several migrant workers who sell the fruit at traffic signals to look for alternative jobs.

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