Strawberry growers in Wisconsin are dealing with a rough 2026 season — repeated frost events, excess rainfall, and disease pressure have all arrived at the same time. Warm April temperatures pushed plants out early, forcing growers to run overhead irrigation systems for multiple nights to protect blossoms from frost damage. That extra cost comes on top of already elevated input prices.
The disease concern adds another layer. Wet conditions are ideal for several common strawberry pathogens, and growers who took frost damage are already working with weakened plants heading into the critical fruit development window.
For buyers, Wisconsin strawberries are an important regional supply source for Midwest retail and foodservice in early summer. If yields come in below expectations here, it could add pressure to an already complex strawberry supply picture across the country.