Strawberry Production Through the Years

February 2, 2017

Strawberry production has come a long way in the last 100 years, especially in California! With approximately 3,000 acres of harvested strawberries in 1917 to over 35,000 acres today, the strawberry continues to be a family favorite.

 

Being the fourth most sought after fruit in the United States and voted a top favorite among kids*, this sort of popularity among the fruit family explains the immense growth in production and consumption the strawberry has seen in the last few decades.

 

Considered a super fruit by experts due to their high nutrient content, strawberries are packed with vitamin C and loaded with beneficial antioxidants. And though being eaten on its own is perfectly acceptable and delicious, this popular berry is also a very versatile ingredient used in both sweet and savory dishes (see recipes here).

 

While production and consumption of strawberries in the United States has seen a steady increase over the years, most harvesting is concentrated in sunny California – the nation’s leading strawberry producer – producing nearly 80% of the nation’s strawberry output.

 

What makes California the top-spot to grow these sweet red berries? The cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean provides both the southern and central coast of California optimal moderate year-round temperatures of warm days and cool foggy nights, which leads to the majority production of the world’s most delicious strawberries available year-round from Naturipe Farms.

 

California strawberry growing shifts between north and south with the changing of seasons. Northern California’s strawberry growing region is south of San Francisco and includes Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties – accounting for almost half of the state’s strawberry acreage during the spring and summer months. While further down the coastline, Southern California growing regions like Santa Maria and Oxnard account for much of the strawberry production in the fall and winter months.

 

Today, Naturipe continues to grow strawberries in California, as well as Florida, and Mexico. These additional growing areas help provide consistent year-round availability of only the best, good-for-you Naturipe strawberries.

 

*http://www.californiastrawberries.com


Strawberry Production