Italy to cut strawberry acreage for 2027; Turkey, Mexico strengthen exports

Italy's Fragola Matera® will reduce its strawberry cultivation area by about 10% for the 2027 season to maintain premium quality, following a record 9.5 million consumer baskets sold in 2026.

Italy's premium strawberry brand Fragola Matera® (IGP Fragola della Basilicata) concluded the 2026 season with 9.5 million baskets sold, surpassing the previous year's 8 million. Despite a season marked by early harvests and variable yields, the brand reported strong qualitative growth and high client satisfaction. To preserve quality and brand recognition, the organization Frutthera Growers - Nicofruit announced a voluntary reduction of about 10% in cultivated area for the 2027 campaign.

Turkey reported a surge in fresh fruit and vegetable exports, with strawberries among the key products. Turkish fresh fruit and vegetable exports rose 175% from 1.34 million tonnes in 2002 to 3.67 million tonnes by the end of 2024. The proportion of production exported increased from 3.8% in 2002 to 7.1% in 2024. Despite a 14% production loss in 2025 due to the climate crisis, Turkey maintained its position as a competitive supplier in world markets.

Mexico continues to focus on the North American market for its strawberry exports but is also exploring opportunities in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Aneberries, the Mexican berry exporters association, is collaborating with government and phytosanitary authorities to gain access to new markets, with South Korea as a current priority. The industry emphasizes year-round quality and genetic innovation to meet diverse market demands.

Italian and Turkish strawberries remain significant competitors for European markets, including Poland, where imported strawberries from these countries impact local prices and availability during the off-season. The Italian strategy of reducing area may influence export volumes in future seasons.

Turkey's total fresh fruit and vegetable production reached 62 million tonnes in 2024 before dropping to 44.35 million tonnes in 2025 due to adverse weather conditions. This production volatility may affect future export availability and pricing.

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