Strawberries are much larger this year, and it has nothing to do with chemicals

Strawberries at the supermarket this year have grown in size – some closer to the size of small apples.

A small fruit expert at Virginia Tech says it has nothing to do with chemicals.

Weather, breeding and farming techniques all play a role in the size of the berry, said Jayesh Samtani, an associate professor with the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and a small fruit extension specialist for the Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hampton Roads.

Samtani researches how to optimize berry production and determine the kinds that grow best in certain regions.

“In some years, weather may play a role. For example, both the east and west coasts had relatively cooler springs, which resulted in an extended harvest,” said Samtani. “Moisture also plays a role. Improvements in fertigation and irrigation techniques and insect pollination would also lead to larger fruit.”

When it comes to benefits, growing larger fruits helps reduce labor during harvests.

“With larger strawberries, fewer fruits are needed to fill the clamshell container. The whole idea being that the fewer berries to fill the box, the more efficient the harvest process,” said Samtani. “Before detaching berries from the plant, they should be inspected for readiness, and it’s much easier and quicker to harvest when the berries are the same weight.

“Additionally, larger berries mostly have a longer shelf life than their smaller counterparts – making them better for the produce section of the grocery store.”