Introduction to the Strawberry Commodity Chain

The strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria. It is cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The fruit is known for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is consumed in large quantities throughout the world, both fresh or in prepared foods such as preserves, fruit juice, pie, ice cream, milkshakes, and chocolate. The strawberry we know today was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s using a cross of Fragaria virginiana from eastern North America and Fragaria chiloensis, which was brought from Chile in 1714. Fragaria ananassa has replaced the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), which was the first strawberry species cultivated in the early 17th century. 

Chandler_strawberries

The commodity chain of strawberries is especially interesting given the fact that strawberries are a very delicate commodity. Unlike many commodities such as the iPhone or a new computer, strawberries can’t sit in storage for extended periods of time and are much more delicate. Strawberries need to be grown, harvested, cleaned, packaged, and then distributed to retailers in a timely manner while still making sure to transport them without squashing and ruining each strawberry. Under the Food and Drug Administration, strawberries must meet certain standards for chemicals used as pesticides and insecticides. This means that some strawberries from each harvest have to be tested for quality. If they don’t pass inspection, they must be thrown away which could lead to a shortage in some parts of the world.

There are six main parts to the commodity chain for strawberries. Each link of the chain is described in detail throughout the pages on this website. Please use the menu on the left to navigate through each link.

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