For a long time, it was uncertain whether Norwegian strawberries would be in stores this year. But now, Olav Etnestad has good news. He's a strawberry farmer and the Norwegian Fruit Growers Association's chairman. "We're sure there will be Norwegian strawberries in stores," he says.
If the weather holds, Etnestad can harvest a ton of strawberries from his fields in Gjøvik, Eastern Norway. Foreign seasonal laborers usually pick these. Travel restrictions have, however, made things difficult for many growers. They can't get enough workers.
Fewer and more expensive
Kristina Hegge, the Oppland Growers Association's chairperson, is cautiously optimistic too. "There will be Norwegian strawberries. But there will be fewer than usual because some farmers have reduced their production. Fewer strawberries mean higher prices. Cultivation and harvesting are also more expensive due to the corona crisis. Hygiene rules are costly, and far more things need attention. For example, staff must be divided, and everyone must be aware of who they interact with."
Five people may work together
New hygiene measures were introduced on 14 May. These are for vegetable, fruit, and potato farming. A specific rule is that only five people may work together at once. Etnestad finds that strange. "General Norwegian regulations state that groups of up to 20 people are allowed. But only five are allowed to work together."
Production and migrant housing also had to be adapted. "There are strict rules about how workers must be accommodated and who they can interact with. There must also be isolation facilities if they were to fall ill."
Optimistic about self-picking
Fruit farmers may open for self-picking this year. The measures must, however, be implemented. Hegge says, "It isn't necessarily easier to allow consumers to pick their own fruit. It's no better concerning contamination risks. Some fruit growers will organize self-picking this year again. This is, however, not an easy choice for those who already have pickers."
Hoping for 65 tons
Etnestad has 30 seasonal workers from countries like Vietnam, Lithuania, and Ukraine. That is ten fewer than usual. "Not many Norwegians have been interested in harvesting strawberries in recent years. That's changed a little this summer. Five Norwegians have been added to try and salvage this year, too," he says.
Etnestad hopes to harvest 65 tons throughout the summer. But he can't yet dare say if he'll get all his strawberries picked.
Source: nrk.no