The winter strawberry season has arrived, with high-quality strawberries available from just $2 a punnet in supermarkets across the eastern seaboard.
Now is the perfect time to buy a few punnets while they’re at their most affordable, especially with new strawberry on the block, Susie promising large juicy berries.
Every punnet bought helps support hard-working farming families who grow these beautiful berries in Queensland each winter.
Queensland growers are responsible for 41 per cent of all strawberries in Australia and the winter growing season runs from May to October annually.
With about 80 strawberry growers in Queensland, many are located in the Caboolture region, north of Brisbane and up the Sunshine Coast all the way to Bundaberg.
Most are family-run farms.
Of these growers, a small number are pioneering the production of Susie, the new variety that’s already seeing great harvest quantities of the large rich red berries the plant produces.
Ashbern Farms’ Brendon Hoyle said: “After a couple of tough years for the Queensland strawberry community, this year has seen cold nights and dry sunny days, which has resulted in a fantastic supply of quality berries hitting supermarket shelves this winter.
“To pick the best punnet look out for strawberries with a bright red colour and glossy appearance.”
Queensland Strawberry Growers’ Association president, LuvaBerry owner and Susie grower Adrian Schultz said: “Our farmers are passionate about bringing Aussies delicious strawberries at affordable prices that the whole family can enjoy.
“With a new variety to try there’s never been a better time to support growers.
“Enjoy strawberries at their very best straight out of the punnet, freeze them fresh to have a go-to supply or add them to your smoothies, salads or sweet dishes for a boost of vitamin C.”
* For more information about Queensland winter strawberry growers please visit: qldstrawberries.com.au.
About Queensland strawberries
Queensland is the largest supply area of strawberries in Australia, featuring more than 100 growers across the state with 41pc of all fruit coming from Queensland.
Queensland is the majority supply region for all winter strawberries to the eastern states.
The association of Queensland Strawberry Growers (QSGA) was formed to represent the commercial strawberry growers of Queensland.
The QSGA is a “not for profit” membership-based organisation that provides a range of services to their members and the broader industry to encourage growth and development, with the aim of providing a healthy, profitable and safe product for consumers.
