Strawberry season is nearly upon us and according to University of Arkansas horticulture professor, Curt Rom, there could be concern over how many strawberries we will be able to eat.

 

“Americans seem to have an insatiable appetite for strawberries. Consumption in the United States is growing at a 3-5 percent rate which would make it one of the fastest growing fresh products in the United States.”

 

That growth of demand is not being met by supply right now and Rom noted that demand is greatly outpacing supply.

 

That’s just one of the many challenges facing the strawberry industry according to Rom.

 

“We just concluded a national needs assessment survey of strawberry growers in the United States and one of the top needs that they see is they recognize a need to reduce chemical inputs in the production system.”

 

Rom pointed to reducing costs and public concerns about chemical use as some of the primary drivers.

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