Strawberries market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh strawberry market in Ireland saw sustained growth from 2018 to 2022, with volume expanding from 9 405 tonnes to 12 311 tonnes. This increase was supported by a rise in domestic production from 5 680 tonnes to 7 200 tonnes and growing imports, which climbed from 4 196 tonnes to 5 346 tonnes over the period.

A reversal occurred in 2023 as the market volume contracted by 10% to 11 090 tonnes. The decline coincided with a drop in production to 6 480 tonnes and a reduction in imports to 4 840 tonnes.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, growing from $61.1 million in 2018 to a peak of $81.3 million in 2022 before falling to $73.2 million in 2023.

Production strawberries in Ireland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Ireland's strawberry production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 6 260 tonnes of strawberries, marking a 4.5% rise from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 680 tonnes, when output fell by 13.7%—the largest drop in this timeframe. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production growing by 5.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Ireland's strawberry production value has also risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 53 330 thousand US dollars, representing a significant 14.9% increase compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 43 687 thousand US dollars, when it declined by 16.0%—the largest decrease observed.

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

Exports strawberries from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Ireland's strawberry exports have rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 285 tonnes, showing a sharp year-on-year increase of 31.2%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 72.5%, with a compound annual decline of 34.9%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 217 tonnes, following the largest drop of 54.4% recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the primary and nearly exclusive market for Ireland's strawberry exports in volume terms, accounting for 98.9% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Ireland's strawberry exports in value terms have increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 426 thousand US dollars, which is 44.2% higher than the previous year. Despite this recent uptick, exports decreased by 70.3% over the 2017-2020 period, equating to an average annual decline of 33.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 683 thousand US dollars, after the largest drop of 55.6% in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, the geographical distribution of Ireland's strawberry exports in value terms showed a strong reliance on the United Kingdom, which absorbed 99.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

Ireland's strawberry imports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 5 057 tonnes, which is 18.5% above the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 21.8%, with an average annual increase of 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for Ireland's strawberry imports in volume terms were the Netherlands (44.7% of imports), Spain (27.0%), and Egypt (13.3%). Together, these three countries accounted for 84.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Ireland's strawberry imports in value terms have also risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at approximately 27 143 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 27.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 32.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands (53.7% of imports in value terms), Spain (19.2%), and Egypt (12.6%) remained the key markets for Ireland's strawberry imports. Collectively, they represented 85.5% of total import flows.

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

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