By Maegan Beatty
Strawberry sales in Florida are expected to peak this month and will continue through March, though producer Dustin Grooms said they could be selling strawberries through May.
The longer the better for growers like Grooms who have their share of difficulties to overcome this year.
Hurricane Milton was a major obstacle for growers when it made landfall on Oct. 9. The timing was significant as it delayed some plantings.
“The season started off with a hurricane, and some growers were not able to plant at all. We had our plants planted already, and we hoped for the best. While the numbers aren’t what we would like, right now we are finally starting to get some warmer weather,” Grooms said. “The hurricane had so many costs and we still don’t know how this season is going to end. There are so many challenges this year.”
Labor expenses and availability remain top concerns. The adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) increased again. Florida’s new AEWR is estimated to be $16.23, a 10% increase from the $14.77 rate in 2024.
Production wise, growers are still facing crop diseases that are impacting yields. Neopestalotiopsis, a fungal disease that’s impacted Florida strawberries since 2017, is threatening this year’s crop.