Belgian strawberry prices rose above 2025 levels while summer heat pressured quality

Flanders reported a favourable first half of 2026 for strawberries, with VBT auction prices in the first quarter up to 18% above the same period of 2025. Spring supply at the auctions was also up to 5% higher year on year, while heat in the second quarter affected grading and fruit firmness.

Belgian strawberry trade entered the summer from a strong first-half position. The Flemish sector barometer, based on auction revenues and variable costs, moved above its five-year average after the weaker 2022-2023 period. No absolute auction price in EUR was reported, but VBT prices in Q1 2026 were up to 18% higher than a year earlier and clearly above recent-year levels.

In the second quarter, Belgian strawberry prices moved closer to the long-term average, with a dip in June reducing the earlier price advantage. Supply at VBT auctions in spring was up to 5% higher than in the same period of 2025, also exceeding recent-year levels. Quality and size grading became more difficult during the second quarter because of high temperatures.

Growers in West Flanders reported continued strong demand through July, with the usual holiday-period slowdown less visible than in other years. One producer said farm-channel sales were clearly higher than last year and that prices remained high around 21 July, when many farms in the region traditionally take holidays. The same source linked sustained strawberry consumption to warm, sunny weather.

The heat is also changing the commercial performance of varieties. Sonsation remained a preferred variety for flavour and fresh consumption, but under warm summer conditions the fruit softened more quickly. For deliveries to auctions and wholesalers, firmer strawberries with longer shelf life became more relevant because of transport and handling requirements.

In Spain, Huelva-based Onubafruit closed the 2024-2025 campaign with turnover of about €310 million. The cooperative group markets berries as well as other fruit and vegetables, and its member farms include strawberry and blueberry production. Separately, Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports in 2025 totalled 12 million tonnes worth €18.666 billion; export volume fell 4% while value rose 4%, with 97% of shipments going to European markets.

Material prepared by the editorial team of fresh-market.info, editor Artur Spiker · Illustrative image generated by AI