Strawberry Products

Many parts in Benguet contributes to the strawberry production such as Tuba, Tublay and Atok but the best known and widest producer is in La Trinidad where the Strawberry fields can be located. Three kilometers from Baguio lay the strawberry fields in Betag, La Trinidad.

An estimated land area of 74 hectares is allotted mainly for the strawberry cultivation with an annual production of about 1480 metric tons of strawberries. (The total 108 hectares total strawberry plantation of La Trinidad produces about 1548 metric tons of strawberries yearly.)

Strawberry planting starts in the late months of the rainy season and production period goes from the month of October to May. Since, strawberry does not grow well in rainy seasons farmers are forced to plant after or during the end of the rainy seasons. But, this made the production very convenient for the farmers since the peak of production is during December up to the summer time which brings more tourists due to the vacation time.

The cold temperature of Benguet also helps in the harvest of strawberries since it does not only naturally grow the strawberries but also, it protects them from some bacteria or pests(mildew, leaf spot and leaf blight) that may infect them on a higher temperature.

From these field strawberries, some other products are produced by processing them. Such products are: strawberry wines, which come from long processed strawberries; the ever sweet and best strawberry jams; of course, strawberry flavored ice creams, taho and crinkles; tasty candies and even strawberry soaps. But yet to come are products being developed with the help of the Benguet State University like strawberry champoys, strawberry pinwheel(candy) and even dried strawberries.