USDA Expects A Smaller Strawberry Crop This Season

What does this year’s national strawberry crop look like?

USDA research economist Helen Wakefield noted in 2025, U.S. strawberry production was 31.2 million cwt, a 3% decrease from the record crop reported just a year earlier.  When it comes to California, the top strawberry growing state;

“Heavy rainfall in major strawberry growing regions during the autumn negatively impacted late season strawberry shipments," Wakefield said.  "In 2026, the California strawberry season began earlier than usual between seasonably warm winter and spring temperatures that accelerated strawberry crop development.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield added while Florida strawberry acreage has increased over recent years, "Fresh strawberry shipments from Florida were lower year over year during the 2025 2026 season," she said.  "Widespread freezing temperatures during winter storm Giana in early 2026 damaged Florida strawberry crop lowering February and March fresh strawberry shipments by double digits compared to last season.”

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