By Clint Thompson
The strawberry season is nearing an end for Florida growers. To say that producers have had their share of challenges would be an understatement.
Input costs have spiraled out of control, and the strawberry market is in “shambles,” according to Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida.
“As an industry, I think we’re doing 400,000 (boxes) or 500,000 a day. Between all three districts – California, Mexico and (Florida) – I think we’re doing less than a million. The United States can hold a million a day with a good market. It’s hard to say what’s happening. We don’t quite understand,” Parke said. “We’re not quite picking a million, but the market is in shambles.
“My salesman said it’s the worst market he’s seen in three years.”
Input expenses are playing a pivotal role as well. Like other agricultural commodities, strawberries are not immune to the sharp increase in costs that producers are paying just to produce a product. Parke estimated that total expenses rose 20%. It may even worsen next season.
“It’s cost us 20% more this year to harvest between diesel, paper products, plastic, fertilizer, chemicals; and everything’s in short supply. Next year, we don’t even know where it’s going to be at, but we’re looking at a 30% increase of costs before we start next year,” Parke said. “(Dealers) haven’t set it in stone yet. But they said look for a 30% increase. They don’t want to tell us any prices on any material until we get closer. It could be upwards of 40%.”
Parke prefers to extend his season to Easter, which is April 17. But he is unsure of that possibility if current prices hold; especially since it is costing him $9 a box for input expenses.
“I’ve let go of some acres already just to help keep movement on decent pricing. I think the market was $6.80 (Friday). It’s cost me $9 to get them out of the field. If the market is $6.80, I’m losing a little over two bucks,” Parke said. “I don’t want to pick for less than $10, honestly. When the market gets that low, too, they don’t need the berries.”
