Florida is the second largest strawberry-producing state in the U.S., after California, at a value of more than $300 million, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. In-depth stats from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services show that from 2001 to 2021, Florida lost nearly 32% of the strawberry market share within the U.S., while Mexico gained 240%.
Matt Parke, a fourth generation strawberry farmer in Plant City, recently stated: "Every year since COVID has had an increase of anywhere from 10 to 15%. So we're at a 30% increase right now.” Even though they're selling more as people have become more health conscious from the pandemic, Parke said it's not enough to battle inflation. But that's not the biggest problem plaguing the industry; Florida growers say it's berries from across the border. "Our biggest threat is Mexico. You know, we're having to deal with the influx of berries pouring across the southern border into the United States."
Another study by the University of Florida in 2018 found that U.S. farms paid strawberry pickers anywhere from $1.75 to $3 for a flat of berries, depending on the season. That's compared to Mexico, which spent 15 pesos or about a dollar per flat.
Source: abcactionnews.com