A strawberry shortage might sound surprising. But if you’ve noticed higher prices or empty shelves lately, you’re not alone. This shortage impacts both shoppers stocking up for family desserts and farmers whose livelihoods rely on stable demand.
Understanding why strawberries are in short supply gives you a step ahead, whether you manage a small shop, run a restaurant, or just want answers. Several factors have come together—some predictable, others sudden—and the shortage now extends across regions and seasons.
For most, strawberries are a symbol of summer and fresh eating. For growers and food service businesses, they can be essential inventory. When there’s a shortage, the effects ripple all the way from the supply chain to your kitchen. Let’s walk through what’s driving this crisis and what you can do next.
Impact of Climate Change on Strawberry Yields
Climate change is a key driver behind today’s strawberry supply issues. Research from the University of Waterloo highlights just how serious the problem is: just a 3°F increase in temperature is enough to slash strawberry yields by up to 40 percent. For strawberry producers, especially in California, those numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re the difference between profit and loss.
California supplies about 90 percent of the United States’ strawberries. A small shift in temperature can mean a shorter harvest window, reduced fruit size, or more fruit lost to spoilage. Over the past years, record-breaking heat spells and less-predictable rainfall have forced growers to adapt rapidly.
For consumers, this means fewer strawberries hit the market during peak demand. Prices go up, and some varieties become difficult to source. If you rely on strawberries for your product line or seasonal menu, consider building in some flexibility year to year. Staying in touch with your distributor’s outlook can help you plan promotions and order quantities.
Role of Disease in Reducing Strawberry Supply
Part of the current shortage comes from a disease that’s less talked about outside the farming sector: the fungal pathogen *Neopestalotiopsis* (often called “Neo‑P”). Since 2021, this fungus has spread throughout strawberry crop fields across Ohio and neighboring regions. It damages plants, reduces yields, and makes finding healthy transplants a real challenge for growers.
If you host a local event or rely on seasonal fruit festivals, you may have already felt these impacts. The 2025 Strawberry Days celebration in parts of Ohio, for example, was cancelled. Organizers cited both crop failures and uncertainties in supply.
Local farmers saw a direct financial hit as fields produced less fruit or failed entirely. For food businesses, it’s vital to check with suppliers each season—are there substitution policies or backup sources you can work with if one region gets hit by disease? This one factor can make or break your summer menu or product launch.
Challenges from Seasonal Supply Fluctuations
Every winter, strawberry supplies naturally dip. That’s when California’s main crop ends, and places like Mexico and Florida are just gearing up their fields. This seasonal cycle isn’t new, but tight supply lines can make normal fluctuations feel much worse.
Organic strawberries are especially prone to running short during these times. Organic farms have stricter requirements, so when California’s supply dips, it can be weeks before other regions fill the gap. If your business relies on organic produce specifically, now is a smart time to clarify expectations with your wholesaler.
One action you can take is diversifying your product mix during known supply dips. Be sure to inform customers ahead of time about expected changes or limitations. Transparent communication builds trust, even in shortage periods.
Global Reduction in Strawberry Acreage
Besides local weather patterns and disease, a global reduction in strawberry acreage is further squeezing supply. Since 2022, the world’s strawberry-growing area has dropped sharply—from about 3,700 hectares to just 2,300 by 2025.
This decline isn’t happening in a vacuum. Weather events like hailstorms have hit hard in Austria, destroying entire local crops and keeping growers from planting new fields the following year. When fewer strawberries are grown worldwide, everyone—from large supermarkets to small farmers’ markets—feels the pinch.
For retailers and food businesses, it may be time to review sourcing strategies. Depending on your location, consider working with suppliers from regions less prone to extreme events or diversifying with seasonal alternatives when strawberries become too pricey or unreliable. Keep documentation of these decisions, especially if you need to explain price changes to your customers.
Market Impacts and Price Increases
The obvious result of all these factors? Higher prices, tighter availability, and headaches for those who depend on strawberry sales. If your business tracks pricing trends, you’ve probably seen a clear uptrend on wholesale and retail strawberry pricing over the past few years.
Some areas—especially those impacted by the *Neopestalotiopsis* fungus or extreme weather—report double-digit jumps in price per pound. Supply chain disruptions have even led to empty store shelves at times, especially in smaller towns or those far from main shipping hubs.
As a small business owner, it is vital to budget for price swings and spot shortages. Be proactive about updating your purchase forecasts, and ask your suppliers what they expect for the current and coming quarters. Once you have realistic expectations, you can adjust pricing or portion sizes to avoid surprises.
Strategies for Adaptation in Strawberry Production
The road ahead for both farmers and buyers involves adaptation. Sustainable agricultural practices are getting more attention than ever. For those in strawberry production, improved irrigation systems and shading technologies are now seen as standard, not optional.
For context, irrigation upgrades help farmers keep plants healthy during heat waves, while shade cloth reduces stress on fruit and retains moisture in the soil. These adjustments require initial investment but can help stabilize yields as growing conditions fluctuate.
If you’re in food service or retail, press for information about the sustainability practices used by your suppliers. Knowing your fruit comes from a farm that invests in water conservation and disease management can be a useful selling point. Some businesses share these details directly with their customers in store signage or online updates.
For those researching industry trends or considering investment, it’s helpful to monitor reliable sources and updates such as Redwire Business. Staying informed about broader supply shifts can help you anticipate market movements and react quickly.
Regional Variations in Strawberry Production
Not every country or region faces the same shortage. In 2024 and into 2025, some areas like the United Kingdom and especially Scotland enjoyed unusually favorable weather. Their strawberry harvests came in strong, bringing a rare note of optimism to an otherwise challenging year.
If your business operates regionally or has access to UK-grown fruit, you may have found it easier to secure stable shipments or competitive prices during tough supply months. However, conditions can change rapidly. For best results, check weather patterns and local reports quarterly.
On the other hand, many EU countries, the United States, and some Central American growers have seen more instability. For those sourcing internationally, build in buffers—extra time between order and delivery, plus a broader network of backup suppliers.
Conclusion
The global strawberry shortage is the result of multiple overlapping issues. Climate change, fungal diseases, predictable seasonal gaps, and even sudden events like hail have all contributed. Price increases and inconsistent supply are affecting everyone from local consumers to food businesses worldwide.
The long-term threats are clear: as weather patterns shift and new pathogens emerge, supply could remain unpredictable. It is vital for anyone in the strawberry supply chain to stay flexible, communicate early with suppliers, and consider adaptive farming or sourcing strategies.
Be sure to keep an eye on industry news, track changes annually, and always have a plan for supply dips. With smart planning and open communication, you can minimize disruptions, keep your operations running smoothly, and ensure your customers know what to expect in both tight and abundant years.
Also Read:
