As we celebrate America's favorite berry, let's dive into a recent report by the California Strawberry Commission. The recently-released report highlights that strawberry production continues to grow—reinforcing just how important this specialty crop is to U.S. agriculture.

Industry data shows U.S. strawberry production has exceeded 2.6–2.7 billion pounds annually, with California supplying roughly 90% of the crop and Florida supporting key winter production windows.

Strawberry production in the Santa Maria Valley has increased significantly in recent years, with growers expanding acreage and output to meet strong market demand.

The region produced approximately 88.6 million trays last year, up from 82.8 million the year before, showing continued year-over-year growth.

Strawberries remain the top-value crop in the Santa Maria region, with growers continuing to invest in expanded production and new growing systems to improve supply and sustainability.

With demand rising and production concentrated in high-value regions, consistency, quality, and efficiency have never been more important.

That’s why many growers prioritize pre-plant soil preparation with TELONE™ by Teleos soil fumigant.

Strawberries are highly susceptible to plant-parasitic nematodes, which can reduce root efficiency, limit nutrient uptake, and impact yield and fruit quality—often before symptoms are visible aboveground. But success in strawberries starts belowground.

By reducing nematode pressure early, TELONE™ supports stronger root systems that improve efficiency—supporting better water and nutrient use, reduced reliance on inputs, and improved crop performance. All of this contributes to improved berry quality, increased yields, and better grower ROI.

In a crop where quality and timing are everything, a strong start is key. That's why grower in the know prep with TELONE™.