After exporting tonnes of strawberries to Malaysia last year (even to France and Belgium on previous occasions), this year Mahabaleshwar’s strawberries haven’t gone international, confirm officials of Strawberry Growers’ Association of India (SGWI). The reasons: poor quality of the fruit, which was less sweeter and had a shorter shelf-life that couldn’t meet the export standards. That, coupled with comparatively lower prices offered in international market this year, and given the high costs of transport, made export a commercially non-viable option.
The constant weather change and sudden rainfall, have not only hit production but even quality of the fruit. SGWI president Balasaheb Bhilare said, “We had been exporting strawberries to Malaysia for last couple of years. However, the scenario is different this year as there are several reasons for the fruits not getting exported. Firstly, demand is low from abroad, quality of fruit and production is hampered due to unseasonal rains and weather fluctuation. Moreover, low prices in international market coupled with high transport costs has made export impossible this year.”
Bhilare also spoke of a recent order from Colombo, Sri Lanka, where local farmers had to provide one tonne strawberry per week. “When we calculated all expenses including transportation, it cost around Rs100 per kg which is not affordable. If the government gives exemption or subsidy on export, only then we can send the fruit abroad,” he added.
Meanwhile, the current crop has been affected by a leaf blight disease, which has affected not just production but also taste. The production of the fruit in the Wai area of Satara district have been hit too. Moreover, heavy rain spells towards the end of the monsoons have affected the production schedule of the crop by 30-35 percent this year.
“Generally, strawberries are available in market till end of April. Given all these factors, this year it could be a couple of weeks earlier that supply will stop,” added Bhilare. Satara district accounts for the country’s 80 percent strawberry production and the fruit is grown mainly in Mahabaleshwar, Wai and Panchagani areas.
Presently, the strawberry crop is growing at riverside zones in the district. Planting of strawberry saplings, which usually gets over by September-end, ended in the month of November this year. Most of the strawberry plant owners are complaining that the fruit has gone sour. Demand for the fruit is also less in the market.
Current scenario
- Currently, strawberries are being sold between Rs120 and Rs130 per kg in the market.
- Over 85% of the total production is sold as table fruit in the domestic market, while about 400 tonne goes for processing.
- Seasonal fruit: 3,200 acres in Bhilar, Busad, Kingar, Aawkali and surrounding villages in Satara district boasts of strawberry fields
- There are 2,000 strawberry growers in Mahabaleshwar. Nearly 20,000-25,000 tonne of fruit is produced in the hill town every year.
- Rs250 per kg is the fruit's price at the beginning of winter, and the rate falls to Rs50 kg towards the end of the season.
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