PLANT CITY, Fl. – Florida strawberries have taken a tumble.
The Tampa Bay Times reports, the acreage of strawberry growing fields in Plant City has dwindled down. Florida Strawberry Growers Association reveals the acreage is now at 11,000 acres. For the strawberry industry, that amounted to an 8-percent decrease.
Recommended Videos
For farmers, Tampa Bay Times reports, this means cutting acres by selling or not planting any strawberries in certain areas.
Farmers have been faced with falling prices. According to the Tampa Bay Times, it costs more to grow, pick and pack a package of strawberries than it does to buy the same package at the store.
Farmers are also being faced with labor shortages. They are dealing with immigration laws and workers turning to other jobs.
Weather has also put a wrench in strawberry growing. Plus Florida is now having to compete against other areas growing strawberries. Mexico and California have also joined the business.
All the downfalls has some farmers going into debt.