Miaoli County, Taiwan — December 13, 2025
The annual strawberry harvest season in Dahu Township, Miaoli County, typically begins in early December, but unusually warm weather this year has pushed planting schedules back by approximately two weeks, leading to a delayed harvest and significantly higher prices.
According to the Dahu Farmers’ Association, the first batch of locally grown strawberries has recently entered the market. At present, about 30 percent of strawberry tourism farms in the Dahu production area have opened to visitors for fruit picking. However, limited supply has driven prices sharply upward, with self-picking rates starting at NT$700 per catty and climbing to as high as NT$800 in some orchards—setting a new historical high.
The association reported that Dahu’s strawberry cultivation area previously covered around 450 hectares. In recent years, declining soil quality caused by long-term continuous farming has led many growers to lease farmland in neighboring areas such as Shitan and Gongguan townships. As a result, this year’s strawberry planting area in Dahu has fallen to approximately 370 hectares. Of this total, about 80 hectares are dedicated to elevated strawberry cultivation systems. The dominant variety remains the popular “Perfume Strawberry,” with other varieties including Fengxiang, Meiji, and white strawberries also favored by consumers.
Due to the impact of prolonged warm temperatures, some farmers delayed planting, resulting in limited availability of first-season fruit. In addition to agri-tourism demand, strawberries are widely used as key ingredients in desserts and cakes, further increasing market demand and exacerbating the current supply shortage.
By comparison, self-picking prices for first-season strawberries were around NT$650 per catty when they first reached the market last year. This year’s prices have risen to NT$700 or more, with premium fruit commanding even higher prices. The Dahu Farmers’ Association expects that prices may gradually stabilize once the first harvest enters its peak production period from late December through early January.
Looking ahead, the association noted that the second harvest, expected to coincide with the Lunar New Year period in February, will offer the best overall quality. With increased supply at that time, prices are anticipated to be more affordable, providing consumers with a better opportunity to enjoy Dahu’s renowned strawberries.