Swedes pay $27 for ‘bargain strawberries’

 

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."