Pune: Pre-season arrivals of strawberries, known for their sweet and tangy flavor, have started making their way into Pune's Market Yard. Although the official strawberry season usually begins in November after Diwali, early batches are now reaching wholesale fruit vendors.

On Friday (October 4), 30 kilograms of strawberries were sent by farmer Vinod Bhoite from Wagholi village in Satara district to traders Pandurang Supekar and Mauli Ambekar at Market Yard. The produce was purchased by Nanasaheb Zhende, a fruit supplier for city malls, at ₹351 per kilogram.

The strawberry crop is primarily grown in the regions of Wai, Panchgani, and Mahabaleshwar in the Satara district, though Nashik district has recently emerged as a new hub for cultivation.

Favorable weather conditions this year have raised hopes for a bumper strawberry crop. Regular arrivals of strawberries are expected to increase by the end of October, with 8 to 10 tons expected to reach markets once the season is fully underway.

Strawberries witness peak demand around Christmas, with Pune’s fruit market supplying large quantities to metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Gujarat, Delhi, and Bengaluru.

According to Ambekar, the current early arrivals mark the start of what promises to be a robust season, with supplies continuing until February.

“The demand for strawberries is particularly high from tourist destinations, and with the early start of the season, we expect a strong flow of supply over the coming months,” said Mauli Ambekar, a prominent trader at the Market Yard.