Finland’s strawberry season hastened by warm spring weather

Strawberries ready for sale in Finland. (Katja Halinen/Yle)
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

Yle News

For more news from Finland visit Yle News.

Do you want to report an error or a typo? Click here!

Leave a Reply

Note: By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that Radio Canada International has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Radio Canada International does not endorse any of the views posted. Your comments will be pre-moderated and published if they meet netiquette guidelines.
Netiquette »

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *