Forest berry prices high, purchase prices low: overview of the market
In Latvia, wild strawberries, bilberries, and chanterelles are sold at prices ranging from 10 to 15 euros per liter, while purchase prices remain low. Pickers note that gathering berries is time-consuming and requires specific knowledge.
July marks the beginning of the wild berry and mushroom season in Latvia. Chanterelles, bilberries, wild strawberries, and cloudberries are in high demand. However, picking these natural treasures is not easy—it requires knowing the right spots, spending hours in the forest, and bending down repeatedly.
Online classifieds and social media show offers for wild strawberries. In Bauska municipality, with delivery to Riga, the price is 15 euros per liter. In the Jēkabpils area, the price is 10 euros per liter, the same as in Daugavpils. In Dobele municipality, wild strawberries cost 13 euros per liter. In comparison, garden strawberries are much faster to pick.
Although retail prices are relatively high, the wholesale prices offered to pickers are low. Previous years' articles confirm that earnings are possible only for those who are diligent and know where to look. This year the trend continues—market prices are not particularly favorable for pickers.
