As the peak strawberry harvest period draws to a close, growers and industry members are reporting good quality fruit and average to slightly above average yields.
Woodside and Uraidla strawberry grower Malcolm Parker, AF Parker and Sons, said weather-wise, it had been a good season.
"Last year we had smoke and dust, this year until about six weeks ago we had mud and rain, but the (strawberry) bushes have looked healthy; we've possibly picked a bit more than last year," he said.
Berries Australia Vic/SA strawberries industry development officer Angela Atkinson said most SA strawberry growers grew the Albion variety, which had grown well thanks to an absence of extended heatwaves and high rainfall tallies.
While the peak harvest period is nearly finished, workers for strawberry harvest are required for a longer duration, possibly until May, depending on weather.
Ms Atkinson said the threat of labour shortage issues would remain until harvest wrapped up completely.
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Claire Harris
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
Journalist at Stock Journal. Hailing from South East Queensland, Claire moved to SA at the start of 2019. She is passionate about agriculture, cooking, sport, and line dancing, and loves a good long road trip.
