Sweden: Not enough strawberries for midsummer this weekend

Reports coming out of Sweden have all confirmed that a strawberry shortage is expected during midsummer this coming Friday. The slight shortage couldn't have come at a worse time, since Swedish strawberries are synonymous with the midsummer celebration.

Midsummer is an important celebration in Sweden, which kicks off the summer holiday for many and it is seen as a time to gather with friends and family to celebrate. A typical Midsummer menu features different kinds of pickled herring, boiled new potatoes with fresh dill, soured cream and chives. This is often followed by a grilled dish of some kind, such as spare rib or salmon, and for dessert the first strawberries of summer, with cream.

"The cold spring has made the growth of berries slower and the growers are expecting to produce perhaps 70% of the expected volumes this week. We had good volumes and low prices last week and now that the weather is good we should be getting back to normal volumes, but this will only be after midsummer." said Roland Nilsson at Hebe Frukt & Grönt.

Peter Hägg from ICA said that the retailer has turned to the Netherlands for Dutch strawberries to fill the gaps in the Swedish supply.

"We still have hope that we can supply our customers' need in full, but all of Sweden is experiencing the strawberry shortage this weekend." concluded Roland.

For more information:
Anita Jansson
Hebes Frukt & Grönt AB
Tel: +46 31 780 27 00
Fax: +46 31 19 33 28
Email: anita.jansson@hebe.se
www.hebe.se