Finland’s strawberry season hastened by warm spring weather
This year, the strawberry season in Finland is occurring early and is shorter than usual. Miika Ilomäki from the fruit and berry growers association said the season should last about 3-4 weeks.
“The first week is now gone, but the season will continue until the second or third week of July,” he says.
If the weather continues to be mild with occasional rain, strawberries could be available as late as the end of July, according to Ilomäki. “However I’d recommend heading to the sellers now,” he adds.
Busy Midsummer
Johanna Matilainen, a strawberry farmer from the southern Finnish town of Tuusula, said the season began exceptionally early this year.
”This is the first time we decided to keep our doors open to customers over the Midsummer weekend. It has been very busy here,” she says.
The hot and dry early summer was a challenge to strawberry farmers, with crops requiring extra irrigation.
“In terms of size, strawberries will not be as big as in previous years, but they are quite sweet,” Matilainen says.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada invests $1.2 million to help solve mystery of dwindling char numbers in Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Pouring rain expected over large swaths of Finland, YLE News
Norway: Norway’s Arctic islands crush May heat records, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Record heatwave in the Arctic, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden faces midsummer strawberry shortage due to unfavourable weather, Radio Sweden
United States: Authorities agree to new wetland mitigation guidelines in Alaska, Alaska Public Media
