Organizaciono-ekonomska obeležja zasnivanja i proizvodnje jagode (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) / Organizational and Economic Characteristics of Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) Establishment and Regular Production

The cultivated strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.), known for its delicate fragrance, flavour, and rich vitamin and mineral content, can be grown in most arable regions of the globe. Strawberry production, like many high-value crops, is resource and labour-intensive. Therefore, attention to detail is required at all stages of strawberry production, from establishment to harvest and marketing. The objective of this study was to determn the cost of strawberry establishment and achived economic effects of short-day and day-neutral strawberry production in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The most of the production is located in the northern hemisphere (90.5%). The leading strawberry producing nations are USA, Spain, Japan and Republic of Korea. These four countries counted for 47.2% of all world’s strawberry production. The largest increase in strawberry production capacity was recorded in the southern hemisphere. For data collection on procedure for growing a crop of strawberries and investment in strawberry production a survey technique was used. In survey participated 19 short-day and 9 day-neutral strawberry growers and was conducted in 2011 and 2012. The survey recorded strawberry production procedures, materials, equipment and labour use. Also, growers reported external Mr Dragan M. Galić - Doktorska disertacija vii services used, achieved yields, marketing channels of sale, percent of each channel and achieved average sale prices. Based on collected information the cost of establishment, regular care, harvest in first and second year and total income were calculated for both groups of strawberries. Short-day strawberries are grown on matted-rows, while day-neutral on raised beds on white plastic with trickle irrigation installed. Most (70%) of the short-day crop was sold via direct sale (“U-pick”, ready-picked and farmers’ market), while 55% of day-neutral strawberries were sold in wholesale. On average, growers of short-day strawberries generated a profit of 22,300 $CAD/ha (29.10% of total income), and growers of day-neutral strawberries 37,962 $CAD/ha (29.50% of total income). Based on this study, both groups of strawberries in Ontario are highly profitable and with great potential for frofit increase.