The first Lithuanian-grown strawberries of the year are being harvested in greenhouses, initiating the 2025 strawberry season. Cooler spring weather is affecting yields, keeping prices elevated. In Anykščiai, Anykščių Daržovės farm began picking strawberries in early May, about a week earlier than last year. Heated greenhouses are producing approximately a ton of berries daily.
Farm manager Paulius Andriejavas stated, "Each plant has its own irrigation system. We lower the temperature at night to stimulate sugar production and ripening. During the day, we raise it to 16 degrees Celsius and reduce it to 8 degrees Celsius at night. We grow year-round and harvest two crops per season."
In northern Lithuania, strawberries are ripening earlier. Farmers in the Joniškis district rely solely on greenhouses due to unpredictable spring weather. "We had thought about moving some strawberries outdoors, but last spring was too cold," said Dovydas Degimas, owner of the Sodo Uogos farm. "This year, the frosts have been just as tough. It's too risky, so we're sticking with greenhouses."
Currently, locally grown strawberries have not reached northern Lithuania's markets, with growers selling directly from farms. Prices remain high, up to €12 per kilogram. Sonata Degimienė, co-owner of Sodo Uogos, remarked, "We started at €12 per kilogram, same as last year. Some others charge more, but we didn't raise our price. It will come down, but it depends on the market."
Competing with imported berries is challenging due to higher energy and labor costs. "It costs more to grow strawberries here," Andriejavas said. Despite early harvests, labor shortages persist, with farms employing workers full-time. Virginija Šerepėkienė, a greenhouse worker, noted, "This isn't just a seasonal job."
The open-field strawberry season is expected to begin in June, later than usual due to cool weather, transitioning from greenhouse to field-grown berries over several months.
Source: LRT