Researchers and extension specialists are warning that an upcoming El Niño pattern could bring wetter conditions to Florida's strawberry growing regions, raising the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases during the 2026-27 season. A spray alert system is being promoted to help growers respond faster when conditions turn dangerous.
Florida is the dominant domestic strawberry supplier during the winter months, and disease pressure from wet El Niño conditions has historically caused significant yield losses and quality problems. This is an early heads-up — the season doesn't start until fall — but it's the kind of forecast that changes input planning and risk management decisions now.
Given that Florida already had a brutal 2025-26 season, another difficult year would have serious ripple effects on winter strawberry availability and pricing. Buyers with heavy strawberry programs should be factoring this into their forward sourcing conversations.