China's strawberry production is down

China's fresh strawberry production is estimated at 1.35 million metric tons (MMT) in MY2010, a 10 percent decrease from MY2009, mainly due to unfavorable weather conditions during harvest season. Frozen strawberry production in MY2010 is down 10 percent at 130,000 MT. China's exports of frozen strawberries will increase by nine percent to 105,000 MT in MY2010, mainly due to growing import demand in European markets. Imports of frozen strawberries remain virtually unchanged at 10,500 MT in MY2010. Production in MY2011 is forecast at 1.750MMT, assuming normal weather conditions. Post will continue to closely monitor crop conditions during the current harvest season (Dec 2010 - June 2011) in Hebei, Shandong, and Liaoning provinces (the top three producers), which account for close to 60 percent of China's total strawberry production.