Strawberry
Strawberries are small, red fruits that grow on low, spreading plants and belong to the genus Fragaria. They have a unique structure, with tiny seeds (achenes) on the outside rather than inside the fruit. Strawberries are believed to have originated in Europe and the Americas, and modern cultivated varieties are the result of hybridization. They have a soft texture and a juicy interior. Strawberries grow best in temperate climates and are typically harvested in late spring and early summer, although greenhouse cultivation allows for extended availability. Strawberries are commonly processed into strawberry juice concentrate and strawberry puree for food and beverage manufacturing.
Strawberry can be supplied as organic upon request
Botanical: Fragaria F. x Ananassa
Heart of the Meadow
The modern garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is one of the most widely cultivated and economically important berry crops in the world. Interestingly, the strawberry is not a true botanical berry; it is an aggregate accessory fruit. The fleshy, red “fruit” we eat is actually the enlarged receptacle of the flower, while the true fruits are the tiny, seed-like achenes dotting its surface. The commercial strawberry we know today is a hybrid species first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s. It was created by crossing Fragaria virginiana from eastern North America (known for its robust flavor) with Fragaria chiloensis from Chile (prized for its large size).
Today, this hybridization has resulted in hundreds of commercial cultivars engineered for specific climates, sugar levels, and processing yields – producing strawberry juice concentrate, strawberry puree and other formats.
Global Sourcing and Prime Growing Regions:
Securing a consistent, high-quality supply of strawberry juice concentrate requires an expansive agricultural reach. Brothers International bridges the gap between prime growing regions and North America’s leading food and beverage manufacturers through our vast global network of vetted suppliers. We source from the world’s most celebrated strawberry-producing microclimates: Mexico, Poland, Spain, in the northern hemisphere, while Chile and Peru provide vital counter-seasonal supply in the southern hemisphere during the fall and winter months.
By leveraging our deep relationships with top-tier processors across both hemispheres, Brothers International insulates your supply chain against regional crop failures, weather disruptions, and seasonal shortages, ensuring your production lines remain running smoothly year-round.
Harvest Cycles & Uninterrupted Supply:
Strawberry harvest cycles vary significantly by geography, typically running from March through September in the Northern Hemisphere and July through February in the Southern Hemisphere. Managing these overlapping seasons across continents is one of Brothers International’s core strengths.
Our specialized logistics and operations teams coordinate harvest schedules, cold-chain transport, and inventory management across all four of our ingredient divisions. Whether you require contract pricing for annual volumes or spot-market flexibility, our global footprint guarantees reliable access to single-strength juice, strawberry juice concentrate clarified 65° Brix, or 28° Brix puree whenever your formulation demands it.
Rigorous Quality Control, Traceability & Compliance:
Sourcing from a worldwide supplier network requires uncompromising quality standards. Every processor in the Brothers International network undergoes a rigorous vetting process to guarantee full supply chain traceability, adherence to sustainable farming practices, and strict compliance with USDA, FDA, and international regulations.
Through our network, we provide ingredients certified to meet the highest industry benchmarks, including GFSI (BRC, SQF, FSSC 22000), USDA Organic, Kosher, Fair Trade Certified™, and Demeter (Bio-Dynamic). From farm to factory floor, Brothers International delivers the transparency, safety, and supply chain security your brand demands.
The Brothers International
Quality Promise
Brothers International and its 4 divisions, Brothers Ingredients, Dennick Fruit Source, Hosh International and Food Partners, are trusted global importers of premium ingredients to major food and beverage manufacturers in North America. We deliver consistent quality and supply across every format the industry demands. Our Strawberry is sourced from the earth’s prime growing regions where farming expertise, climate and soil composition come together to produce Strawberry of exceptional caliber. All of our suppliers undergo a rigorous vetting process to ensure we work with only the highest-quality processors and can fully guarantee traceability, sustainability, and compliance with all international regulations.
Each of our divisions has a specialized operations team to manage shipments and coordinate with customers and suppliers. They work closely with our in-house customs team to ensure efficient clearance, and collaborate with the USDA and FDA to maintain full regulatory compliance. This ensures your ingredients move seamlessly through every stage of import, arriving on time and ready for production with complete confidence. With decades of sourcing expertise and a strong commitment to customer success, you can count on Brothers International to deliver the premium ingredients your products require.
Industry Glossary
A Reference Guide for Fruit Ingredient Terminology
Check out our glossary for a consolidated reference of commonly used terminology across the global fruit ingredient industry. It provides straightforward definitions and context for the language and concepts referenced throughout the industry.
