Climate change could mean fewer, pricier strawberries: Study

Canadians could see fewer strawberries on store shelves as temperatures rise.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo say a rise in temperature of three degrees Fahrenheit could reduce strawberry yields in California by up to 40%. 

Canada is a major importer of strawberries from California, with imports worth US$322.8 million in 2022. 

The research team say the results of the study—Influence of Regional Temperature Anomalies on Strawberry Yield—suggest potential implications for the availability of all produce imported from California.

“This research shows how climate change can directly impact the foods we love, emphasizing the importance of sustainable farming practices to maintain a stable food supply for everyone,” said Poornima Unnikrishnan, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at Waterloo, in a release.  

The researchers used a model that predicts probability of yield loss by linking air temperature anomalies and strawberry yield.

One of the researchers, Kumaraswamy Ponnambalam, said there is an urgent need for farmers to adopt new strategies to cope with global warming. 

Sustainable farming practices could include optimizing irrigation to ensure adequate water supply during heatwaves, using drip irrigation and scheduling operations to avoid peak periods of hot weather, as well as using shading plants and installing shade structures to mitigate heat stress.