Strawberries and Mahabaleshwar go hand in hand, with the region being synonymous with the fruit. However, in recent years, two other fruits—raspberries and gooseberries—have started to gain popularity alongside the iconic strawberry.
Mahabaleshwar's cool climate and fertile soil make it the perfect location for strawberry cultivation, a fact that has been recognised since the British first introduced the fruit here. Over time, strawberries became the primary crop of the region, earning Mahabaleshwar the title of 'Strawberry Land.' While strawberries remain the star crop, farmers have started diversifying their harvests, adding raspberries and gooseberries to their offerings.
Raspberries, which belong to the rose family, are being sold for Rs 1,200 per kg, while gooseberries are priced at Rs 600 per kg. The rising demand for these fruits, especially from tourists, has made them a valuable addition to the agricultural landscape of Mahabaleshwar.
Over the past decade, farmers have experimented with different strawberry varieties, leading to the cultivation of 14 distinct types of strawberries.
Currently, 20 percent of the strawberry crops in Mahabaleshwar are winter varieties, while the remaining 80 percent are other varieties. Alongside the successful strawberry harvest, some farmers have started cultivating raspberries and gooseberries, adding a new dimension to the agricultural offerings of the region.
This year, Mahabaleshwar farmers have planted strawberries on 2,800 acres, with 2,300 farmers participating. Although raspberry production remains limited compared to strawberries, the fruit has been gaining popularity due to its variety of colors—red, black, yellow, and purple. Similarly, gooseberries, with their round shape and sour-sweet taste, have found their place alongside strawberries as a sought-after fruit.
With the growing demand for strawberries, raspberries, and gooseberries, Mahabaleshwar's agricultural diversity is on the rise, further establishing the region as a key destination for fruit cultivation.
