Strawberries market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian fresh strawberry market volume expanded significantly from 23 382 t in 2018 to 36 659 t in 2022. This growth was initially fueled by a strong surge in consumer demand for berry fruits, with berry sales rising 232% between 2013 and 2018, and a marked preference for regionally sourced products bearing the red-white-red quality seal further stimulated the market.

Market volume experienced fluctuations, dipping in 2020 and again in 2023. The 2023 decline coincided with late frosts and weather extremes that impacted overall fruit production. The market remains heavily reliant on imports, particularly from Spain and Italy, and supply volatility is influenced by weather disruptions in key growing regions, such as the heavy rains and storms in Spain's Huelva province which reduced harvests.

In value terms, the market showed consistent growth, reaching 136 346 thousand US dollars in 2023. This trend was supported by stable to slightly increasing wholesale prices for fresh strawberries and a consumer shift towards higher-value regional and organic products, with the organic segment accounting for about 5% of market value.

Production strawberries in Austria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Austria produced 13 310 tonnes of strawberries in 2020, marking a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.1%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.8%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 10 880 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 13 580 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 5.9% decline, whereas the largest surge was in 2019 with a 24.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Austria's strawberry production value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 50 560 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 7.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value climbed by 18.2%, averaging a 5.7% annual growth rate. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 37 043 thousand US dollars, with the most notable decline that year at 13.4%. The biggest increase happened in 2019, with a 26.5% jump.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports strawberries from Austria

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria exported 1 537 tonnes of strawberries, representing a 5.2% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 49.8%, equating to an average annual rate of 14.4%. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 4.7%, while the most substantial growth occurred in 2018 with a 49.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Slovenia, Hungary, and Poland remained the top buyers of Austrian strawberries by volume. Slovenia accounted for 50.1% of exports, Hungary for 27.7%, and Poland for 8.5%, together making up 86.3% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Austria's strawberry exports in value terms reached 5 840 thousand US dollars in 2020, up 15.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, export value increased by 53.9%, averaging 15.4% per year. The most significant decline was in 2019 at 3.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 37.5% surge.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Slovenia, Hungary, and Italy were the key destinations for Austria's strawberry exports by value. Slovenia led with 55.7%, followed by Hungary at 23.5%, and Italy at 6.8%, collectively representing 86.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Austria in value, 2017-2020

Imports strawberries to Austria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Austria imported 17 375 tonnes of strawberries, a significant 13.7% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports saw a modest overall increase of 2.3%, averaging 0.7% annually. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 14 035 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 20 138 tonnes. The most pronounced decline occurred in 2018 with a 17.4% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 43.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, Spain, Germany, and Italy were the primary sources for Austria's strawberry imports by volume. Spain contributed 54.0%, Germany 18.9%, and Italy 14.7%, together accounting for 87.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Austria's strawberry imports declined in 2020. The import value fell to 57 436 thousand US dollars, a significant 12.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.4%, averaging 2.1% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 65 837 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 18.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Germany, and Italy were the leading sources for Austria's strawberry imports by value. Spain accounted for 48.3%, Germany for 21.6%, and Italy for 16.0%, jointly making up 85.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Austria in value, 2017-2020