Melo Villareal
Guide: Strawberry Picking in La Trinidad, Benguet
It was my birthday last February 10 when I visited La Trinidad to buy and pick fresh strawberries. I woke up early for a short jog in Camp John Hay before heading to the strawberry fields of La Trinidad Benguet.
After less than 20 minutes, I finally arrived at La Trinidad’s famous tourist spot: The Strawberry farm. This progressive town in Benguet produces 95% of the country’s strawberry requirement.
Although it’s a huge farm, The pickings were limited since the area is frequented by visitors and the farm is too huge to explore.
Fresh Strawberries
I enjoyed seeing the natives carrying their “kayabang” – a native basket tied to the foreheads that are usually full of vegetables or strawberries. During the strawberry season, the farmgate price of strawberries plummets down to P160 per kilo, but it can go up to P400 per kilo depending on the demand and size of the strawberries.
Waiting to be picked:)
La Trinidad is the capital of the province of Benguet. It is located in the northern part of Luzon and is part of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The town is currently holding the Guinness world record for baking the World’s Biggest Strawberry Shortcake in 2004.
History of La Trinidad Strawberry Farm
The strawberry farm is located in Barangay Betag of La Trinidad, Benguet, and is owned and maintained by the Benguet State University (BSU). The BSU leases at least 500 to 1,000 square meters (5,400 to 10,800 sq ft) lots of the 79.49 hectares (196.4 acres) farm to local farmers for strawberry cultivation.
Strawberries are an important part of La Trinidad’s economy, with the Strawberry Festival held in the town every March.
The La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is a destination for tourists visiting the town of La Trinidad. According to the Benguet Tourism Office, the strawberry farm is the most visited tourist destination in the province, with 538,346 tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2017.
Strawberries are my favorite comfort food. I’ll probably go back this Summer; I hope to see you there!!
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