Introducing the history of Kyushu strawberries!

We will introduce how Kyushu became one of Japan's major strawberry producing regions.
The History of Kyushu Strawberries
ORIGIN
Strawberries were introduced to Japan during the late Edo period (around 1850-1870) from the Netherlands.However, strawberries (scientific name: Fragaria × ananassa) are a plant of the Rosaceae family that prefers a Mediterranean climate. Due to Japan's hot and humid conditions, outdoor cultivation was limited by a short harvesting period and susceptibility to diseases and pests, which hindered widespread cultivation.

GROWTH
Around 1950, the "Duner" variety was introduced from California, USA, and due to its high quality, it spread nationwide, particularly in the Kanto region, replacing the previously dominant "Sachi-tama" variety.Additionally, during this time, the practice of forcing cultivation in plastic greenhouses became widespread, and the Duner variety was particularly suited for semi-forcing cultivation, which contributed to its popularity.
On the other hand, in the Kyushu region, which has a warm climate, varieties such as Duner, Fukuba, Sachi-tama, and Hokko-wase were primarily spread in the Kanto region.
There was a demand for heat-resistant varieties, which led to the development of "Harunoka" by the Kurume Branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries' Horticultural Experiment Station in 1967. This variety was easy to cultivate in warm regions, leading to the spread of strawberry cultivation throughout Kyushu.

PRESENT
Currently, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (a national research institution) and public experimental stations in various prefectures have been developing varieties with various characteristics such as heat resistance, disease and pest resistance, color, size, and juiciness.

Event page
The Kyushu Regional Agricultural Administration Office will host the "Kyushu Strawberry Tasting Event" on the 4th floor of the Fukuoka Airport International Terminal! At this event, you can taste nine varieties of premium strawberries cultivated in the rich environment of Kyushu for free. Enjoy the unique flavors and sweetness of each variety and discover the diverse appeal of Kyushu strawberries. During the tasting, you can also learn more about the characteristics and origins of Kyushu strawberries through multilingual leaflets and catalogs. The event will take place from Tuesday, January 28, 2025, to Monday, February 3, 2025. Tasting hours are from 10:30 AM on January 28 and from 7:30 AM from January 29 to February 3, until the strawberries run out. This event is a great opportunity to get to know Kyushu strawberries. Kyushu offers a variety of strawberry types, each with its own unique features and deliciousness. Feel the charm of Kyushu strawberries and become a "fan." Please note that the supply of strawberries is limited, so the event will end once they are gone. Come early and join us at Fukuoka Airport!
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.