Before, you could buy Norwegian strawberries for only two short summer months. From this year, you will get hold of the sweet Norwegians well into September.
Less than 20 minutes ago
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Strawberry-loving Norwegians can now buy strawberries almost all year round.
– But the berries are not Norwegian – nothing can compare with them, says strawberry farmer Bjørn Ekeberg Ekeberg Myhrene AS.
That will be a piece of advice now.
For the strawberry season should be doubled.
–Norgesgruppen, Bama Gartnerhallen and a bunch of strawberry farmers have joined forces to ensure that Norwegians get Norwegian berries longer.
– Last year we decided to double the strawberry season from two to four months. From the end of May to the middle of September, says CEO Runar Hollevik in Norgesgruppen.
Already this year, they plan to produce 40 percent more Norwegian strawberries than the year before. 2300 tonnes of strawberries will be on store shelves during the summer.
– This is a winner for Norwegian public health, Ekeberg smiles.
He himself is a second-generation strawberry farmer and has been hanging out in the field in Drammen since he was just a toddler. He now runs strawberry production together with his son Even (25) in collaboration with strawberry producer Myhrene in Lier.
–His berries are not ripe until June, but some lucky Norwegians have already got hold of this year’s first Norwegian strawberries.
Last week, VG wrote about record-breaking strawberry season. Strawberry farmer Geir Joa (65) at Røyneberg in Sola municipality has grown strawberries for 30 years, but has never seen the like of early ripening. The first 200 baskets add out in 15 minutes.
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The strawberry trade and the producers have used several measures to be able to double the season:
Increased investment in tunnels and modern cultivation systems and a focus on fewer varieties will result in more predictable and stable production.
– With tunnel cultivation, we are less vulnerable to precipitation and temperature changes and can extend production, says Ekeberg.
He has grown berries in tunnels for several years, but with the new strawberry initiative he will also extend the season from June to October.
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