Strawberries market in Sweden

Earlier Report Observations

The Swedish fresh strawberry market grew from 22 751 tons in 2018 to 23 844 tons in 2020. This increase was supported by rising consumer demand for quality-assured berries, such as those with the Swedish Seal label, which encouraged growers to expand production. Additionally, stricter EU trade standards for fresh fruits and berries, including mandatory origin labeling, alongside national regulations that minimized pesticide residues, bolstered confidence in domestic strawberries and sustained consumption.

Market volume contracted to 22 738 tons in 2021, a year that saw the reporting of a record harvest from the previous season—a development that raised price levels and attracted new investment into the sector. In 2022, despite challenging weather that shortened the picking season and reduced local output, the market rebounded to 23 896 tons as imports surged to compensate. The same year, the fruit distributor Hebe became a co‑owner of Skogens Jordgubbar, introducing a new premium segment with Swedish Seal packaging. By 2023, the market settled at 22 760 tons.

By 2024, fresh strawberries had become a year‑round product in Swedish retail, driven by imports from Andalusia and enhanced cooling logistics. Simultaneously, Nordic Harvest began commercial vertical cultivation of strawberries, offering a new production method without pesticides.

Production strawberries in Sweden

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

Sweden's strawberry production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 17,220 tonnes of strawberries, representing a moderate 6.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 9.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 15,640 tonnes, which also saw the smallest decline of 0.6%.

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

Exports strawberries from Sweden

Exports in kind, t

Sweden's strawberry exports have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 101 tonnes, reflecting a significant 62.4% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 74.8%, with an average annual decline of 36.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 459 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway and Finland remained the leading markets for Sweden's strawberry exports in volume terms, together accounting for 88.7% of total flows, while other partners played a supplementary role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Sweden's strawberry exports in value terms have declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports amounted to 362 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 53.2% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 78%, equating to an average annual decline of 39.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2,065 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 25.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 62.5% drop.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Norway and Finland were the core markets for Sweden's strawberry exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 88.6% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Sweden

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sweden's strawberry imports reached 6,725 tonnes, marking a strong 11.7% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (39.9% of import volume), Belgium (38.1%), and the Netherlands (17.1%) formed the main cluster of markets for Sweden's strawberry imports in volume terms, with a combined share of 95.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Sweden's strawberry imports in value terms amounted to 29,334 thousand US dollars, marking a 9.0% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 26,915 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 30,603 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (45.2% of import value), Spain (29.7%), and the Netherlands (20.3%) were the main markets for Sweden's strawberry imports in value terms, together accounting for 95.2% of total flows.

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

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