Posted on 04/10/2014 3:26:53 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The year's first batch of Swedish strawberries went under the hammer in Stockholm on Wednesday, with growers fetching 175 kronor ($27) per punnet. But the price was nothing compared to last year.
Almost 150 punnets of strawberries were sold on Wednesday to mark the first harvest of the season, with each 250-gramme punnet pulling in 175 kronor ($27).
Pablo de Bonadona, the purchase manager at fruit and veg supplier Svenska Odlarlaget, said the berries were worth every krona.
"Yes, it's a lot of money, but Swedish strawberries are worth it. We love them. And the first are always a little special," he told The Local.
The supplier will sell off the strawberries to local schools and kindergartens for just 25 kronor a punnet, a change from the high-end restaurants that usually get their knives and forks into the delicacy first.
But a high supply this year saw lower prices all round in 2014.
"Last year the first lot went for 750 kronor ($116) a punnet. We got a bargain this year," de Bonadona said with a laugh.
He added that Swedish strawberries were worth the long winter wait.
"It's a tradition to eat them all summer long. And they have such a distinct taste because of the climate in southern Sweden. It gets colder at night so the strawberry protects itself, giving it such a deep red colour and a much sweeter taste. We think they're the best in the world - it's something of a national pride."
When asked if strawberries were the best produce grown in Sweden, the supplier could only chuckle.
"Well, it's either strawberries or potatoes and I certainly know which I prefer."
Saw $1.50 boxes yesterday at a Wal-Mart.
Mexican grown; baby poopy ferilized.
Actually quite sad. I can get strawberries at the corner on my way home for 2 bucks, or 2.50 at the supermarket. I sure hope Swedish strawberries are as good as they say.
They plainly said “Texas grown” on them.
The worst are the ones they dye red.
Never seen those. But I imagine they are Texas border grown (virtually Mexican.)
I think most produce is dyed and/or waxed.
It’s said that Swedes have a much lower standard of living than Mississippians. If $27 for 1/2 a pound of strawberries is typical of what Swedes pay for things, they probably are worse off.
Ugh. Tomatoes picked green and gassed red. Tastes terrible. I know some Freepers hate organic, but mostly it just tastes better.
Yeah, most gassed tomatoes are flavorless and leathery. Hate 'em.
You’ll find them at the 27 Dollar Store.
Oh how the worm turns. Strawberries were used to color-create fraudulent "pink champagne" in early 19th century England.
Sweden has socialized medicine. Liberals point to Sweden as our model to emulate. Why can’t we have $27 strawberries if they are correct?
Yes. In the future, only the extremely wealthy will get to have strawberries. The rest of us peons don’t deserve them.
The government wants people to take pot, but stop eating strawberries.
Maybe the banana crop in Sweden will be good this year, too.
Last year at the local strawberry farms they were $10/flat.
Curious if they will go up in price this year.
My strawberry plants are blooming and have some set already.
My blackberries have just started to bloom.
My peach trees, plum bushes and cherry bushes have some fruit set.
My apple trees are just blooming. As is the Persimmon Tree.
My pear trees have fruit set.
Looks like we might actually get some fruit this year.
Last year a late frost after May 1 killed all the fruit.
The best thing is the price. Nothing out of pocket. But they have to be watered.
rofl...cold may have frozen the fungus or they remove the Panama sticker before selling the bananas.
I bought very ripe strawberries for $1, and had them right away at point of deliciousness. Why pay $27.00, but then again I have never had Sweden’s strawberries. Are they really that special?
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