Premium Japanese Strawberries Make Canadian Debut with Notable Price Point
The highly sought-after Oishii strawberry, a luxury fruit variety from Japan, has officially launched in the Canadian market. These premium berries are now available at select Toronto-area retailers, including all Fortinos locations across the Greater Toronto Area.
Pricing and Product Details
A package containing either eight large or eleven medium Koyo Berries retails for $12.99. This translates to approximately $10.74 per 100 grams, creating a significant price differential compared to locally grown alternatives. For context, greenhouse-grown Ontario strawberries typically cost around $2.06 per 100 grams, making the Japanese import substantially more expensive.
Production and Sourcing Considerations
There is an important consideration for consumers who prefer to avoid American products due to ongoing trade tensions. Despite their Japanese heritage, these strawberries are cultivated at Oishii's solar-powered Amatelas Farm in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. This facility represents the largest indoor berry farm of its kind in operation.
The company utilizes vertical farming techniques, an innovative agricultural method that involves stacking crops vertically without soil. According to Oishii's official statements, their berries are grown without GMOs, pesticides, or chemical sprays. The farm environment includes free-flying bees that pollinate the plants naturally, mimicking outdoor growing conditions.
Market Expansion and Culinary Partnerships
A company spokesperson has indicated that Oishii anticipates continued expansion across Canada, though specific details regarding timing and locations remain forthcoming. Several Toronto establishments have already committed to featuring the Japanese varietal on their menus in the coming months.
Notable venues include Miku, Andrea's Cookies, Belle Isle, and KWENTO, with additional culinary collaborations expected to follow. Executive pastry chef Aiko Uchigoshi of Aburi Restaurants has created a limited-edition Oishii berry shortcake available exclusively at Miku from February 13th to 14th.
Company Vision and Product Heritage
Hiroki Koga, co-founder and CEO of Oishii, expressed enthusiasm about the Canadian market entry in an official statement. "Oishii was founded with the goal of bringing Japanese fruit culture to new audiences, and Toronto is an exciting next step for us," Koga remarked. "We are proud to introduce the Koyo Berry to the Canadian market and to partner with trusted retailers and culinary leaders."
The Koyo Berry represents Oishii's second strawberry variety, following the Omakase berry that gained attention in 2019 when it appeared on menus at Michelin-starred New York restaurants with a price tag of US$50. The name "Koyo" translates to "elated" in Japanese, reflecting the berry's intended sensory experience.
Flavor Profile and Consumer Experience
According to company descriptions, the Koyo Berry offers a refreshingly sweet yet subtly tart flavor profile that differs markedly from typical American-grown strawberries. Chef Uchigoshi, who hails from Yamaguchi, Japan, noted the berry's nostalgic qualities, stating that its aroma, soft texture, and balanced sweetness closely resemble the strawberries she enjoyed during her childhood in Japan.
The vertical farming approach enables year-round availability and consistent ripeness, addressing seasonal limitations that affect traditional strawberry cultivation. This technological advantage allows consumers to access premium berries regardless of traditional growing seasons.
As luxury food items continue to gain traction in Canadian markets, the arrival of Oishii strawberries represents both a culinary innovation and a test of consumer willingness to pay premium prices for distinctive agricultural products with international heritage and advanced growing methodologies.
