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Data provided from Agricultural Fast Facts Directory,
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Acreage, production and value for 1991-92 through 2005-06
Production sold, monthly, crop years 1991-92 through 2005-06
/1 November included /2 Combined with March Average Value per flat for fresh market sales, monthly, crop years 1991-92 through 2005-06
1/
includes May
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Source: University of Florida, IFAS Agriculture Business Center.
Strawberries: Estimated net returns for various price and yield combinations in the Plant City area, 2004-2005
| Dollars per flat | |||||
| Yield (flats) | 7.50 | 9.00 | 10.50 | 12.00 | 13.50 |
| 2400 | -6911.00 | -3311.00 | 289.00 | 3889.00 | 7489.00 |
| 2500 | -6721.00 | -2971.00 | 779.00 | 4529.00 | 8279.00 |
| 2600 | -6531.00 | -2631.00 | 1269.00 | 5169.00 | 9069.00 |
| 2700 | -6341.00 | -2291.00 | 1759.00 | 5809.00 | 9859.00 |
| 2800 | -6151.00 | -1951.00 | 2249.00 | 6449.00 | 10649.00 |
Source: University of Florida, IFAS Agriculture Business Center.
2003-2004 Crop Year Information
2002-2003 Crop Year
Information
2001-2002
Crop Year Information
2000-2001 Crop Year Information - Not Available
1999-2000 Crop
Year Information
Strawberry History. Strawberries are thought to have been cultivated in ancient Rome. Strawberries as we know them today were originally grown in Europe. However, varieties also can be found in Chile, Russia and the U.S. The first known American species of strawberries was cultivated about 1835. The berries seem to be strewn among the leaves of the plant, and were first called strewberries in the late 18th century. Later the name was changed to strawberry possibly from the practice of English children threading the berries on pieces of straw for sale or from the 19th century practice of laying straw around the strawberry plants to protect them from bad weather. Other stories noted that farmers would bring the strawberries to market on beds of straw to protect them during traveling. Alpine strawberries are believed to have medicinal uses. The leaves, roots and fruits were used as a skin tonic. The berries were eaten to relieve diarrhea and an upset stomach. Leaves and roots were eaten for gout. In addition, a paste made from the strawberries was used for sunburn and skin blemishes, and the juice of the fruit would be used to whiten teeth.
Horticultural Facts. The strawberry is a small plant of the Rosaceae (Rose) family. All varieties of strawberry plant belong to the Fragaria genus. Strawberries are not really berries or fruit, but are instead the enlarged ends of the plants stamen. It is the small black spots which are actually the fruit. Strawberries can be grown wild or as a cultivated plant. Strawberry plants has an average of 200 seeds on the outside skin of each berry unlike most fruit in which the seeds are enclosed within the fruit. Interestingly, strawberries do not normally reproduce by seeds. Strawberry plants send out what are called runners. Each runner grows on the ground and sends out roots into the soil. The roots then produce new plants. These new plants are often used to start new plots of strawberries.
Strawberries are hand picked, sorted and packed in the field. The flats or trays of strawberries are rushed to shipping houses where they are kept at a temperature of 34 F. Each flat or tray contains 12 one-pint baskets. Within 24 hours of being picked, strawberries are loaded on refrigerated trucks for delivery to local markets across the country.
Over 94% of all households consume strawberries. According to the USDA, annual consumption is approximately 4.85 pounds of fresh and frozen strawberries per person.
Measurement Equivalents.
– adapted from North American Strawberry Growers Assoc. Booklet, Fresh Strawberries
1 quart (1 L) weighs about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ pounds (675 to 750 g) and will yield 4-5 servings.
8 quarts (8 L) weighs about 12 pounds (approx. 5 kg) and equals 13 pints frozen.
1 ½ quarts (6 cups, 1.5 L) is needed for a 9" (22.5 cm) pie.
1 cup (250 mL) sliced fresh berries is equivalent to one 10 oz. (284 g) package of frozen, sweeten berries.
Nutritional Information. Strawberries are low in calories and have great nutritional value making them a perfectly healthy snack. Just
eight strawberries provide as much vitamin C as a glass of orange juice.
|
Calories |
Protein (gms) |
Fat (gms) |
Saturated Fat (gms) |
% Calories from Fat |
Sodium (mg) |
|
50 |
1.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
10% |
0.0 |
|
Carbohydrates (gms) |
Fiber (gms) |
Vitamin A %RDA |
Vitamin C %RDA |
Calcium %RDA |
Iron %RDA |
|
13.0 |
3.0 |
0% |
140% |
2% |
2% |
Strawberry Folklore. In provincial France, strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac of the highest quality. Newlyweds traditionally were served a soup of thinned sour cream, strawberries, borage (a European herb whose flavor is reminiscent of cucumber) and powdered sugar.
The second wife of Henry the VIII, Queen Anne Boelyn (1507-36), had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her neck. Unfortunately, some claimed this fact proved she was a witch.
The strawberry is recognized as representing absolute perfection in the Victorian language of flowers.
Medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals, symbolizing perfection and righteousness. During the same time period, strawberries were served at important state occasions and festivals to ensure peace and prosperity.
Sacred to the both Goddess of Love and the Virgin Mary, strawberries boast a long, dramatic history.
Ever eaten a double strawberry? Legend holds that if you break it in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other.