Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The strawberry sector has invested significantly over recent years to improve the quality and consistency of output.   

Traditionally Irish strawberry production was centered on field based production with harvesting very much concentrated in the traditional June-July period.  At that stage the majority of the crop was destined for low value processing.  While production still peaks in summer, Irish strawberry growers have made significant investments on their farms to extend the season and to produce high quality fruit from early April right through to mid-November largely using polythene based protective cropping structures. 

Growers are currently enjoying very strong growth in consumer demand for strawberries and my Department is facilitating development of the sector and providing supports to strawberry growers in a number of different ways.   

My Department has supported this development through the availability of grant aid under the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector.  This nationally funded competitive scheme facilitates capital investments in horticulture specific equipment or buildings by providing aid at a rate of up to 40% (50% for applicants under 35) for approved investments.  

156 applicants were approved under the 2017 Round of the Scheme with a total of €6.4m in aid approved.  Within these figures there were 25 approvals relating to investments in the soft fruit and protected food crop sector with in excess of €1.5m in aid approved for this sector alone.  A significant proportion of these approvals relate to strawberry growers investing to expand their production capacity and/or improve the quality of their produce.

Strawberry growers are also eligible to receive EU Aid through participation in the EU Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organisation (PO) Scheme. The objective of this EU funded scheme is to encourage growers to come together to strengthen their position in the market in the face of increased concentration of demand by the retail multiples. Under this scheme each PO implements an approved Operational Programme over 3-5 years. Eligible actions included in the Operational Programme can have the objective of improving product marketing and/or quality, aligning production with consumer demand or using environmentally beneficial production methods.

Although there are two active fruit/vegetable PO’s at present in Ireland no Irish strawberry grower is participating in a PO.  The EU legislation governing this scheme has recently been updated and simplified.  In line with FoodWise 2025 my Department is committed to facilitating the development of fruit or vegetable PO’s.

My Department is also responsible for enforcing the EU legislation relating to the quality and labeling of fresh fruit and vegetables.  These standards cover a number of technical quality parameters, however country of origin labeling is the most important aspect for most consumers and all Irish strawberry producers. My Department conducts inspections throughout the fruit and vegetable distribution chain, at import, wholesale and retail level to verify compliance with this legislation thereby ensuring that consumers can make informed decisions regarding their purchases of strawberries and other fruit/vegetables. 

The State also supports the strawberry sector through Teagasc’s specialised advisory and education services.  In addition Bord Bia funds a number of promotional events for the sector.  This year was the 10th year of National Strawberry Week which has now been re-branded as “Celebrate Strawberry Week.” Co-funded by Bord Bia and the Irish Strawberry industry this promotion campaign aims to highlight the health benefits of strawberries as well as increasing consumer demand though a range of communication channels.

Strawberries have recorded phenomenal growth in sales in the last few years.  Based on Bord Bia figures retail strawberry sales have grown by 13.5% in the 12-month period to end of March 2017.  The Irish market consumed a total of 9,600 tonnes of strawberries in this period with a retail value of €91 million. Over two thirds of these strawberries were Irish grown.