by RYAN MILEJCZAK
Sponsored by Farm Credit of Central Florida
If you ask a room full of people what their favorite fruit is, you’re likely to hear quite a few of them say “strawberries.” In fact, according to popularity polling by YouGov, the strawberry is the single most liked fruit in the US, while as of 2023, they were the fifth-most-consumed fruit overall in the US.
This likely isn’t news for many Floridians, who have been enjoying fresh, locally-grown strawberries for generations.
The strawberry has been consumed wild since ancient times, but it was only in the 18th century that cultivation truly began with the creation of the “garden strawberry,” Fragaria x ananassa, which was bred from wild species from Virginia and Chile.
Despite the name, strawberries aren’t technically berries, at least not from the point of view of a botanist. Instead, they’re “aggregate accessory fruits” (not quite as snappy as “berry”). The juicy red flesh we eat isn’t technically the “fruit” but what grows around it; the small “seeds,” or “achenes,” on the outside of the strawberry are the actual ‘fruit,’ with a seed inside.
Strawberry cultivation got its start here in Florida thanks to Henry B. Plant, who settled Plant City — now recognized as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the nation — at the end of the 19th century and built a rail line to Tampa, giving local growers an easy way to transport their products to market.
Thanks to its mild winters with plenty of sunlight, Florida is well suited to strawberry production, especially winter strawberries.
In Florida, strawberries are planted between September and November, and harvested between December and May. This early season has helped cement Florida as the nation’s strawberry capital, and every year, a strawberry festival is held in Plant City to celebrate the harvest and the history of this crop.
The Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City dates to 1930, and besides a six-year hiatus due to World War II, it has happened every year.
A variety of strawberry cultivars are grown in Florida, most of which are developed by UF/IFAS. These include Florida Brilliance and Florida ‘Ember, as well as “pineberry” varieties such as Winterfrost White and Florida Pearl.
Florida is second overall in US strawberry production after California, producing about 10% of the nation’s supply. Thanks to our early season, however, Florida strawberries hit the market before California’s production picks up starting in May.
According to the most recent numbers available, there are 16,200 acres of strawberries planted in our state. Total production for 2024 amounted to 332 million pounds, representing a total production value of over $540 million.
This is an increase from 2022, in which 302 million pounds were produced, representing a value of about $511 million. Overall, the Florida strawberry industry has seen consistent growth season over season despite occasional impacts from things such as hurricanes and pests. The industry saw a major hit in 2020, but has since returned to pre-2020 levels.
The industry employs about 15,000 workers annually, helping make it a significant driver of the Florida economy. Strawberry cultivation is primarily centered in Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk counties.
Like most fruit, strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, with 100 grams of strawberries providing 65% of your recommended daily value of the vitamin. It’s also a great source of manganese, which helps support your metabolism and bone formation. They’re also rich in flavonoids which may have antioxidant and heart protective effects.
A Florida fresh strawberry is a delicious treat on its own, or made into recipes like jams, desserts, and even salads. Next time you head to the grocery store, make sure to grab some fresh, in-season strawberries grown right in your state.