Strawberries might be costlier this season starting from November, mainly because of a reduced acreage in the Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani hill stations of Satara.
Babasaheb Bhilare, the president of Strawberry Growers' Association: "The cultivation of strawberries has been in 2,200 to 2,500 hectares this year as against the average 3,000 to 3,500 hectares in strawberry-growing villages. The less plantation is mainly due to scanty rainfall in September. This might result in high prices this season."
At least 70% of strawberries produced in India come from Mahabaleshwar. The remaining strawberries come from Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan. Last year, the harvest of strawberries was severely affected due to unseasonal rain during October and November in Mahabaleshwar and surrounding areas. As a result, the fruit arrived late in the Pune market.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com