Introduction
Strawberry is one of the best-yielding fruit crops in India. The fruit is commercially produced in certain regions with temperate or subtropical climates. Some of these regions include Nainital & Dehradun in Uttar Pradesh, hilly regions. However, strawberry cultivation in India is now being done on plain land in regions such as Pune & Nashik. Other countries such as the USA, Canada, Europe, and South America are among the world’s leading producers of strawberries. Strawberry cultivation in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab has significantly increased as farmers adapt to using new farming technologies. In 2021, India produced over 200,000 metric tons of strawberries. The Indian strawberry market is currently valued at $500 million. India is heavily investing in new farming technologies, contributing significantly to the growth of strawberry farming. India is now rising to become a major global player in strawberry production, favored by climate and technological farming innovations. Strawberries have a rich nutritional profile with numerous health benefits, hence making them a popular fruit choice for Indian consumers.
Fun Fact: Strawberry is one of the most popular berries in the world.
Uses of the Strawberry in India
- Food
- Medicine
- Cosmetics
Five Strawberry Varieties Cultivated in India
- Chandler- it is a large, juicy berry and one of the most popular varieties for Indian farmers.
- Pajaro- it is known for exceptional fragrance and flavor, best for fresh consumption.
- Etna- Etna is a strawberry variety with the largest fruits.
- Sweet Charlie- suitable for home gardens.
- Selva- These berries have a firm texture with an attractive appearance. It is best for processed strawberry products.
- Chandler strawberry is the most cultivated in India due to eat fruit quality and prolific yield.
How Indians Cultivate Strawberries
Strawberries are herbaceous plants that do well in mountainous, subtropical, and high-altitude climates. It has become one of India’s leading cultivated fruit crops. Indians also grow strawberries for domestic use in their kitchen gardens, pots, or rooftop gardens. Most strawberry cultivation in India is done on open fields, while others is done in greenhouses. Greenhouse strawberry cultivation is increasing due to increased yield since the plant can grow throughout the year. Strawberry plant life is about 9 months, and provided appropriate conditions, it starts flowering as from 40 days after planting. Strawberry harvesting should be done in the morning, and can be harvested up to four times a week. They are sorted and packed into plastic containers ready for shipment to different destinations.
Government and Local Initiatives
a) Meghalaya
An initiative of 100% subsidy on strawberry planting materials, as well as distributing saplings.
b) Bihar
Rs 3 lakh per hectare of strawberry cultivation.
c) Pune, Maharashtra
It is a tribal development department that encourages strawberry farming among tribal villages with initiatives of financing farmers with equipment and saplings.
d) NRLM Etawah
Initiatives through self-help groups mainly encourage women’s empowerment and improve their income through strawberry cultivation.
e) Vedanta’s Project Sangam
Incentive for training and empowering strawberry farmers in India to cultivate high-value fruit crops.
f) Cold Chain Solutions
Ecozen solar-powered cold rooms are donated for rural development a positive effect on strawberry farmers.
g) Organic Farming
It is promoted by the government through schemes such as Paramparagat, Krishi, Vikas, and Yojana, promoting organic farming for a better strawberry yield in different regions.
Government engagement in Indian strawberry cultivation leads to a growing recognition of India as a strawberry-producing country. Many people around the world incorporate strawberries into their diet as a valuable food. Strawberries are also a favorite among fruit processing industries in the production of food items such as jams, ice cream, candy, toffee, among others.
Benefits and Profitability from Strawberry Cultivation
- High market demand
- Short gestation period
- High profit margins
- Diversification and risk mitigation
- High export potential
New Farming Technology
New farming technologies have come to revolutionize farming globally. Barabanki is home to a young farmer who uses the hydroponic method to cultivate strawberries. Another farmer, Dheeraj Verma from Meenapur village, is now cultivating strawberries without soil and with the help of water only. He earns Rs 9-10 lakh every quarter. Using these methods ensures that your strawberries are not affected by pests, resulting in a good yield.
Another amazing technology is that strawberries can now be grown under a controlled environment throughout the year, as opposed to traditional cultivation, where strawberries were only grown during the winter. It has enabled Dheeraj to cultivate strawberries in 3,000 square feet of land, with about 9,000 saplings.
Additionally, farming strawberries using new technology has enabled farmers in India to do it in regions that were traditionally not favorable for strawberry cultivation. For instance, Kooh village was traditionally known for growing crops such as maize and wheat, as the region has heavy rainfall. With the help of the horticultural department, the Farmer is able to plant about 22,500 strawberries every year.
Demand for Strawberries Cultivated in India
Strawberries cultivated in India are sweet with a vivid hue and an extended shelf life. Global strawberry demand rises from increasing popularity in healthy eating; strawberries are among the healthiest berries cultivated on a large scale. Growth projection for the strawberry market from 2022 to 2031 is $19.1 billion to $27.2 billion, respectively. There is high demand for processed strawberries in regions such as Europe and North America. Southeast Asia and the Middle East markets have a high demand for fresh strawberries from India. The demand for Indian organically cultivated strawberries is rising due to global health trends. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Bangladesh are top countries importing Indian strawberries and other strawberry-based products.
Indian strawberries’ export potential
Strawberry is a rising export product in India, with a total shipment of 11,425 shipments in 2024. It was a 15% increase from the strawberry shipment in 2023. Indian strawberry exports are on the rise. In September 2024, strawberry exports were about 1,051 shipments, which was a 17% increase from August. The majority of the shipments were to the US, Bhutan, and Nepal. The leading countries in strawberry exports are the United States and Turkey.
Top Indian Strawberry Exporters
- Sri Sai Exports & Imports
- Pisum Foods
- Shree Aarya Exports
- VML Exports
- Minerals Supplying Co
Production Trends for Strawberry Cultivation in India
Advanced farming technologies ensure optimized crop yield while maintaining organic standards. Farmers are using drones to monitor their crops for issues such as pest infestations and nutrient deficiencies that significantly reduce crop yield.
Soil health management is another production trend in Indian strawberry farming. Some of the soil health management includes crop rotation, crop cover, as well as organic composting to improve soil texture and nutrient quality.
Integrated pest management is a trend that helps strawberry farmers do away with pests and diseases that affect the plant, limiting its yield.
6 Science-Backed Strawberry Health Benefits
- Vitamins- a serving of strawberries exceeds the daily vitamin C requirements. Vitamin C helps your body with healthy skin, wound healing, and the immune system.
- Minerals- strawberries are rich in manganese, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
- Dietary Fibre- a strawberry contains a lot of fiber that is good for digestion.
- Antioxidants- strawberries contain antioxidants such as Flavonoids, Phenolic acids, and Ellagic acid.
- Low fat and calorie levels- strawberries are good for snacking due to their low calorie and fat count. They are best for weight management as they fulfill cravings with a limited calorie count.
- Hydration- strawberries have a high water content that helps your body with hydration.
Immunity Boost
Strawberries contain vitamin C, which strengthens your immune system. An individual with a vitamin C deficiency in their body develops scurvy, a disease that leads to anemia. Vitamin C helps with wound healing as it increases the production of T-cells and B-cells in the body. T-cells fight infected and cancerous cells, while B-cells create antibodies to boost your immunity.
Moreover, vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory, which lowers your stress triggers from sickness or other factors in your daily routines. Taking a handful of strawberries gives you 160 mg of vitamin C. It is advisable to eat strawberries, among other vitamin C-rich foods, every day rather than vitamin C supplements.
Improves your Heart Health
Strawberries improve heart health by:
- Lowering blood pressure- regular consumption of strawberries helps with lowering your blood pressure as it contains anthocyanins.
- Reducing cholesterol- strawberries reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in your body due to their antioxidant properties, such as Ellagic acid and anthocyanins.
- Decreasing heart attack risk- antioxidant properties in strawberries reduce cardiovascular risk factors such as heightening blood pressure and hyperglycemia.
- Improving blood vessel function- consuming strawberries improves the health of your endothelium, the blood vessel lining, enhancing blood flow and reducing the chances of high blood pressure.
- Reducing inflammation- strawberries reduce inflammation due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Helps with blood sugar control- strawberries are low in glycemia and do not cause rapid blood sugar level spikes.
- Skin protection and anti-aging- Strawberry is an antioxidant and have vitamin C that protects your skin against UV damage as well as prevents premature aging.
- Strawberries help in weight management- strawberries are low-calorie fruits and high in fiber, which promotes the feeling of fullness, which reduces your calorie intake.
- Strawberries enhance brain function- they contain antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that are good for improving your cognitive functions and protecting against age-related cognitive issues.
- A strawberries enhance good digestion as they are high in fiber and water content. Fiber is good for regulating bowel movements, and it prevents constipation.
- Cancer-fighting potential- strawberries’ nutrient profile is beneficial to specific cancer recoveries, such as anthocyanins, an anticancer antioxidant.
- Improves visual and eye health- strawberries contain antioxidant vitamin C and other minerals that help in age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
- Support healthy pregnancy- strawberry intake is good for pregnant women as it provides essential nutrients such as vitamin C, folate, and fiber.
How Indians Include Strawberries in Their Diet
Strawberry is a delicious fruit that you can add to cocktails, salads, smoothies, and desserts. Strawberries can be preserved at home in the form of jams, ice cream, and lollies. Others use it to make strawberry cake.
Strawberries are best served to kids and elderly people. Kids and the elderly serving considerations are to minimize the risk of choking, and strawberries can be served as sliced, mashed, or pureed.
Consuming strawberries can be done before or after meals. Eating them before meals helps with digestion as it is a high fiber content fruit. Ensure to wash strawberries thoroughly before serving to clean off the end pesticides in case of non-organic farming.
Washing tip: soak strawberries in clean water for some minutes, add some white vinegar or baking soda, and rinse with clean water.
Organic Vs Conventional Strawberry Farming in India
Organic strawberries produce better and are packed with nutritional value compared to conventionally farmed strawberries. They contain more vitamin C, antioxidants, and polyphenolic compounds.
Are Organic Strawberries Worth the Cost?
Organic strawberries are worth the cost. Stores label strawberries, among other Vegetables, as regular and organic. Organic strawberries are priced about twice the regular rate. Buying organic strawberries ensures that you do not get food sprayed with pesticides, among other chemical fertilizers. You should consider that there are about 65 different types of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides listed to be used in strawberry cultivation. Moreover, in California strawberry is considered to be the most chemically intensive crop to be cultivated. Non-organic strawberries are most likely to contain pesticide residues during harvest. They also drip-feed strawberries with chemical fertilizers throughout their growing time. Moreover, strawberries have appeared in the pesticide data program (PDP) as being the most farm produce that exceeds tolerance levels, with agricultural chemicals making strawberries number 3 in fruit contamination.
How Indians Grow Strawberries at Home
You can plant strawberries in pots on your balcony or kitchen garden. Make sure the spot is sunny and prepare troughs of 20 by 15 cm with a hole at the bottom. Prepare a homemade drip to keep the soil moist. Fill the troughs with plant substrate similar to that used for tomatoes and other vegetables. You can consider everbearing strawberry varieties such as Siskeep and Cupido.
Challenges Facing the Strawberry Industry in India
A major challenge facing strawberry production is the high post-harvest losses. Strawberry is a highly perishable fruit. This challenge can be solved by ensuring adequate cold storage and freeze transport facilities. Despite the growing cultivation of strawberries in India, processing is still being carried in small scale since there is limited processing investment in the industry. There’s also the challenge of the supply chain in market access. The supply chain is full of middlemen, insurance that farmers do not have a link with processing units and retail markets, selling their strawberry produce at unfair prices. Farmers and strawberry processors encounter the challenge of regulatory certification that limits exports and market expansion.
The Strawberry Festival
Indians value strawberries such that in January 2025, a strawberry festival was hosted in Mahabaleshwar. The festival involved strawberry-themed activities, including cultural performances and entertainment. Visitors were served with fresh strawberries, strawberry ice cream, strawberry shakes, jams, and desserts. It also included paid events such as creative workshops and camel rides. Visitors also had the opportunity to make their own jam and participate in fruit-eating competitions.
For many years, strawberries have been used in medical preparations and especially to mask medication taste. Pharmaceuticals use strawberries as an inactive ingredient to provide medications with taste. Additionally, strawberries are used in the production of beauty products due to nutrients such as vitamin C, antioxidants, and natural acids.
Conclusion
In summary, Indians should celebrate the surge of strawberry cultivation and production as it has significantly contributed to their economy and cultural identity. Strawberries have numerous health benefits as it is a significant source of vitamin C and antioxidants that boost your health and well-being. India cultivates strawberries on a large scale and incorporates new farming technologies to boost yield. Consuming strawberries has numerous health benefits to your health such as lowering blood pressure, reducing bad cholesterol, decreasing the risk of heart attack, improving blood vessel functioning, reducing inflammation, and helping in blood sugar control. Additionally, strawberries are now being farmed organically, ensuring the highest nutritional profile and minimum farming chemical levels. Organic strawberries are priced double the of artificially cultivated strawberries. Strawberry health benefits include: boosting immunity as it is full of Vitamin C, minerals, dietary fiber, antioxidants, and low calorie levels. India’s strawberry market is rising to global levels as they continue exporting fresh and processed strawberries globally.
FAQs
Q1. Are strawberries safe for diabetes?
People with diabetes can eat strawberries.
Q2. What is the best time to eat strawberries?
Strawberries can be eaten before or after meals.
Q3. How can I tell if strawberries are organic?
Organic strawberries are packed in labeled “organic” or have a “USDA/NOP” seal.
Q4. Can strawberries cause allergies?
Yes. Strawberries cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Q5. How long should strawberries last in your fridge?
Strawberries can last up to a week in your fridge if they are stored properly.
