2024-04-17 18:45:59
Representatives of the “Pasakas” farm noted that the first strawberries are expected in mid-May. Also, this year, the farm plans to increase the area of strawberries, as well as to switch mainly to covered areas, in order to avoid the unpredictable weather conditions in Latvia.
Guntars Dzerve, agronomist of the “Augusta strawberry” brand, said that strawberry growers who plant strawberries in covered areas, greenhouses and tunnels have planted the seedlings and the harvest is expected around the end of May or the beginning of June. Strawberry planting in the field could also start soon.
On the other hand, the representatives of SIA “Mālpils zemenes” expressed that this year’s atypically warm spring has accelerated the vegetation processes of strawberry seedlings, therefore the first strawberries could be on sale around June 15. Last year, “Mālpils zemenes” started selling on June 19. The representatives of the farm note that the harvest in Vidzeme usually started one to two weeks later than in Zemgale, so strawberries could be on sale in other parts of Latvia earlier.
The representatives of “Pasaka” expressed that the farm currently places greater emphasis on the introduction of new technologies and the correct selection of strawberry varieties according to the soil and environment. The representatives of the farm also noted that the quality of berries this year was negatively affected by unpredictable winds, rain gases, as well as the proliferation of diseases. Consequently, the society was forced to liquidate the areas, reducing them by approximately two hectares. However, the farm is currently building two large greenhouses in which strawberries will be grown in the substrate.
Zerve noted that it is still too early to predict the season, as spring is currently very unpredictable. It can be steamy one day and cool the next. He said that, judging by the trends of the last three years, the situation in the cultivation of strawberries in closed areas is not easy. Summers are very hot and steamy, so if the farm does not have its own watering and feeding system, it is difficult to protect the crop from summer drought. Irrigation systems are also useful in the spring to protect crops from frost.
Also, Dzērve said that last year’s reduced 5% value added tax (VAT) rate was increased to 12%, so this year Latvian strawberry growers will have to compete with imported strawberries that feed the shadow economy.
When asked about this year’s strawberry areas, representatives of “Mālpils strawberries” noted that every year part of the area is dug up and new seedlings are planted elsewhere the following spring. Adapting to crop rotation, the area changes every year. However, as long as the farm can provide the harvest and the maintenance of the fields, there is no reason to reduce the area. The company also said that this year it is planned to plant seven hectares of new saplings.
Also, the representatives of “Mālpils zemenes” explained that the harvest depends on the weather and pests, so it is difficult to predict. For example, last year’s new plantings were significantly damaged by mayfly larvae. Also, company representatives expressed that it is important to pay attention to frost. However, this was an atypically warm month of March and April was also warmer than usual, as a result of which the vegetation process started earlier. Currently, the weather has been very favorable for strawberries.
Last year, strawberries were planted on an area of 483 hectares in Latvia, 792 tons were harvested, and an average of 820 kilograms of strawberries were grown from one hectare, according to the data of the Central Statistics Office.
The manager of “Augusta zemenes” is SIA “Mad Nordic”. In 2022, the company worked with a turnover of 160,756 euros, which is 19.5% more than the year before, but the losses of “Mad Nordic” decreased by 58.9% and amounted to 1,848 euros, according to “Firmas.lv” information.
The company “Mad Nordic” was registered in 2012, and its share capital is 2,800 euros. The sole owner of “Mad Nordic” is Iveta Dzerve..
“Firmas.lv” information shows that in 2022 “Mālpils ZemeNes” worked with a turnover of 618,178 euros, which is 2.5 times more than the year before, but the company’s profit increased several times and was 159,024 euros. Financial data for 2023 are not yet available.
The company was registered in 2011 and its 60% is owned by Ginta Apsīte, while Santa Kraukle and Edi Kleinberg – 20% each.
“Pasakas” was engaged in the cultivation of strawberries and autumn raspberries. The farm was registered in 2015 and its sole owner is Vladimir Skvorcevičs.
2024-04-17 18:45:59