Strawberries Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

For 2020, retail prices for fresh strawberries averaged around $3.64 per pound, according to USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) data. This was a year when farm-level prices were relatively high due to lower marketing costs, and farmers received over half the retail price—about $1.82 per pound if we assume a 50% farm share, though exact figures vary by region. Import prices from Mexico, the dominant supplier, hovered around $3.64 per kilogram ($1.65 per pound), reflecting a spike toward year-end at $4.35-$4.94 per kilogram due to seasonal demand.

In 2021, retail prices dipped slightly. The USDA-NASS pegged the average grower price for fresh strawberries at $143 per hundredweight ($1.43 per pound), suggesting retail prices might have been around $2.86 per pound assuming a similar farm share. Import prices rose to $4.01 per kilogram ($1.82 per pound) on average, with Mexico’s peak production in mid-year driving prices down to as low as $1.92 per kilogram ($0.87 per pound) during May-August.

By 2022, retail prices climbed back up to $3.83 per pound (ERS data), a few cents shy of 2020, reflecting increased production costs and demand. Import prices averaged $3.94 per kilogram ($1.79 per pound), peaking at $29.85 per package (likely a 4-8 pound flat) in November before dropping below $10 per package as supply ramped up. Farm share remained around 50-53%, so growers likely saw $1.91-$2.02 per pound.

For 2023, the ERS reported an average retail price of $3.80 per pound, a slight dip from 2022, with a farm share of 53%—translating to about $2.01 per pound for farmers. Import prices averaged $4.63 per ton ($2.10 per pound), up 8% from 2022, with a peak of $5.457 per ton ($2.48 per pound) in December. This reflects strong demand and a 4% increase in import volume, mostly from Mexico.

In 2024, data gets patchier, but trends suggest continuity. Import prices in August hit $3,687 per ton ($1.67 per pound), a 55% jump from July’s $2,378 per ton ($1.08 per pound), driven by off-season dynamics and lower domestic supply. Retail prices likely hovered around $3.85-$4.00 per pound, extrapolating from the 2.8% market growth to $5.5 billion (IndexBox). Farm prices might have stayed near $2.00-$2.10 per pound, assuming stable farm shares and rising input costs like labor and fuel.

For 2025, we’re in forecast territory. Given the consistent upward trend in export prices (e.g., $4.17 per kilogram projected for 2023, $4.33 for 2024), import prices could climb to $4.80-$5.00 per ton ($2.18-$2.27 per pound) by year-end, assuming steady demand and climate pressures on production. Retail prices might reach $4.00-$4.20 per pound, reflecting inflation and a projected market CAGR of 4% (Business Research Company). Farm prices could edge toward $2.20-$2.30 per pound if marketing margins hold. Weather disruptions (like hurricanes affecting Florida) or heatwaves in California could push prices higher, though increased acreage (e.g., California’s 40,865 acres) might temper spikes.