Facility Design

Ireland: Investment in protected cropping and extended-season production continues to increase output

Paul Hussey - Donnelly Fresh Produce Ireland: Investment in protected cropping and extended-season production continues to increase output The 2026 Irish strawberry season began in March, with the first fruit coming from heated glasshouses. Outdoor tunnel production followed through spring, with peak harvesting expected from June to September.

"Growers have reported a smooth progression into the main summer harvest, supported by modern protected growing systems that extend the season." Donnelly Fresh Produce markets strawberries from Sunglow Nurseries, one of Ireland's largest strawberry growers, specialising in early-season premium production Paul said that they are expecting more volume this year due to recent investment in new glass, which led to strong volumes throughout the early season. We have been lucky to have close to 100% Irish supply since March." Hot weather, short season?

Paul said that the hot weather in Ireland will not necessarily mean a shorter season. However, because Irish growers stagger plantings and use glasshouses and polytunnels, the overall season is expected to continue through late summer and into autumn, rather than ending early.

Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?

Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.

What is the operator takeaway from this trial?

If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.

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