As of August 4, the production of commercial berries in Russia amounted to 10,800 MT, which is 35% more than in the same period of 2019 (8,000 MT), reports the Ministry of Agriculture. Kabardino-Balkaria, Altai Territory, Oryol, Moscow, Lipetsk Regions, and Krasnodar Territory are the leading regions in terms of gross harvest.
However, industry analysts believe that this year’s overall harvest of the berries will be lower than in 2018. According to the company “Technologies of Growth”, the production will amount to 18,000 MT, compared to 18,700 MT a year before. According to the forecasts of the Berry Union, the berry harvest this year will be about 20% lower than in 2019.
The Southern District was affected by frosts and hail, so the gross harvest of strawberries in the Krasnodar Territory decreased compared to last year harvest. Rains also affected the quality and quantity of the crops. Due to the restrictions imposed during the coronavirus crisis, most berry producers dealt with a shortage of seasonal workers as they could not enter Russia from the neighboring countries. Many farms had difficulties with the sales and shipments of their products.