Swedish Midsummer Berries Face Taste Threat from Unstable Weather

The Swedish strawberry season is in full swing, with berries ripening for the upcoming Midsummer celebrations. However, the final taste and sweetness of these popular fruits are now at the mercy of the weather.

Most strawberries available in stores are currently grown in tunnels, a method that shields them from the elements and allows for earlier harvests and multiple pickings. This has shifted the season forward compared to two decades ago, according to Marcus Söderlind, chairman of the garden delegation at the Federation of Swedish Farmers. "We are growing strawberries earlier now than we did 20 years ago," he noted.

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There are different kinds of strawberries. Those with high sweetness and those that are a bit more tart. But then it depends a lot on how much sun they get. If they ripen in cloudy weather, they won't be as sweet as if they ripen in the sun.

While there is a good supply of berries leading up to Midsummer, the taste is heavily dependent on sunshine. "There are different kinds of strawberries. Those with high sweetness and those that are a bit more tart. But then it depends a lot on how much sun they get. If they ripen in cloudy weather, they won't be as sweet as if they ripen in the sun," Söderlind explained. An incoming low-pressure system with unstable weather could therefore impact the desired sweetness for many.

Adding to the seasonal concerns, the supply of new potatoes, another Midsummer staple, is also facing challenges. Roger Nolsa, chairman of the Potato Growers' Association, reports that harvests are lower than expected for the current price point, leading to less incentive for growers to pick. The early potatoes are grown under covers to retain ground warmth, but the main crop for Midsummer is grown without. "Therefore, there is a gap. Last week there were quite a lot of new potatoes, but now the supply is quite scarce," Nolsa said. Heavy rainfall could further complicate matters, making it impossible to harvest and potentially causing machinery issues, with little chance to catch up once the ground dries.

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Therefore, there is a gap. Last week there were quite a lot of new potatoes, but now the supply is quite scarce.