The retail volume of strawberry sales increased by 19% over the last 12 months compared with the previous year, according to a new Kantar report.

Sales reached 7.7m kg of strawberries during the year and total retail sales are currently worth €74.3m.

“The growth in consumption is fantastic news for the industry, and a reward for the hard work make to grow the category,” said Michal Slawski, Bord Bia development and marketing specialist in horticulture.

There are 57 strawberry growers in Ireland with the largest seven producing most of the crop. It is expected that 7,000t will be produced this year.

“The cold start to the year means the strawberry crop is a little later, but slow grown and sweeter than ever,” said Gary McCarthy from the Irish Soft Fruit Growers Association.

“We expect the Irish crop this year to total 7,700t, in an industry that employes over 1,000 people.”

National Strawberry week will run from 6 to 12 June, when Irish crops are at peak production. It is organised by the Irish Soft Fruit Gowers Association, in conjunction with Bord Bia and the IFA, as a consumer information campaign.