Due to Finland's cool and rainy beginning to summer, domestic strawberries have been in short supply and their prices have been relatively high.
However, relief is on the horizon for Finland's many strawberry fans, as harvests have started in Southern Finland, according to Heidi Wirtanen, head of the Finnish Association of Fruit and Berry Growers.
Following harvest delays, freshly picked strawberries are now available at market squares across the country.
On Tuesday, Yle asked how much marketplace merchants in five cities were asking customers to pay for the sweet, red fruit.
Helsinki
At 10 to 12 euros per litre, prices were found to be highest in Helsinki.
Matti Rissanen, who sells strawberries at the market square in Hakaniemi, acknowledged the eye-watering prices.
"Of course, customers are horrified by the prices, but they seem to understand. They have also suffered from the cold and rain. Customers are happy and eager to buy when the weather improves," Rissanen explained.
He said that sales of large berries boxes had not started yet.
Lappeenranta
In Eastern Finland's city of Lappeenranta, market strawberry prices were second-highest in Yle's comparison, at 8 to 10 euros per litre.
Market square seller Rattiya Thongphaijit from Ratjan Marjator, said the firm had not yet started selling strawberries by the box.
Turku
In Southwestern Finland's city of Turku, prices ranged from 7 to 9 euros per litre.
Jukka Jokinen, from Paavuori farm, also acknowledged the relatively high prices.
Five-kilogramme boxes of Paavuori farm strawberries cost between 40 and 45 euros.
Kuopio
Meanwhile, strawberry prices in Kuopio, in the North Savo region, range between 6 and 6.50 euros per litre.
Esa Honkanen who sells all sorts of berries at Kuopio's market square, said that the strawberry season has started off fairly well.
"People know that costs have risen and that all the farmers and sellers need to make a living," he explained, adding that prices are set to go down as harvests continue.
A five-kilo box of strawberries from Honkanen costs between 40 and 45 euros per liter.
Oulu
In Oulu, strawberries cost the least (5–7.50 euros per liter) in Yle's informal survey.
Berry merchant Riikka Hyväri said she was currently selling five-kilogram boxes of strawberries for 45 euros apiece.
"All the berries that have arrived have so far been sold," she proclaimed.
Strawberries particularly sweet
Strawberries are already being harvested at a rapid pace across the country, including in Southern and Southwest Finland, Häme, Pirkanmaa, Satakunta and the southern parts of Eastern Finland.
According to Heidi Wirtanen, from the berry growers' group, Finnish strawberries are very sweet at the moment. Even though harvests are a bit behind schedule, the quality of the berries has benefited from the early summer rain.
