As of January 14, 2026, the global soft fruit market has reached a tipping point. With input costs stabilized at high levels and retail chains demanding “Zero-Waste” shelf-life, the margin for error in production under cover has evaporated. For strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry growers, success is no longer about “farming by feel”—it is about mastering two most critical variables in the root zone: pH (Acidity) and EC (Electrical Conductivity).
1. The pH Factor: The Gatekeeper of Nutrient Bioavailability
Think of pH not just as a number, but as the “key” that unlocks the fertilizers you’ve already paid for. If your pH drifts, the “door” to specific nutrients might be locked..
- The Blueberry Challenge: High-bush blueberries are “acid-loving” plants (optimal pH 4.2–5.2). In 2026, we see more growers moving blueberries into Open Top Containers (OTC) to avoid soil pH fluctuations. Even a minor spike above 5.5 may initiate Iron Chlorosis, reducing photosynthesis and the season’s harvest.
- The Strawberry Sweet Spot: Strawberries require a slightly higher range (5.5–6.5). Recent studies from late 2025 confirm that maintaining a stable pH in this range increases Phosphorus uptake by up to 20%, directly impacting root vigor and crown size, and therefore yields and growers incomes.
2. EC: The “Accelerator” for Yield and Brix
EC measures and expresses the concentration of salts in your substrate and water solution in slabs or pots. It is your primary tool for Crop Steering.
- Generative vs. Vegetative Growth: By strategically raising the EC in your Coir Grow Bags during the fruiting phase (up to 2- 2.5 mS/cm for strawberries), you create “osmotic stress.” This forces the plant to move sugars into the fruit rather than the leaves, significantly increasing the Brix (sweetness) and fruit firmness—the two metrics that determine your price at the packing house.
- The 2026 Shelf-Life Standard: Retailers now prioritize fruit with high cell density. Precise EC management prevents “watery” fruit, ensuring your produce survives the cold chain without bruising. However don’t forget about firmness – it is important factor of fruit quality as well.
3. A Lesson from History: The “Iron Crisis” of the 1990s
To understand the stakes, we have to look back at the Dutch Hydroponic Transition in the 1990s. As growers moved rapidly from soil to inert media (like early rockwool and unbuffered coir), thousands of hectares of strawberries were nearly lost to a phenomenon now known as “The Iron Lock-out.”
Growers at the time failed to account for the Carbonate levels in their irrigation water and the lack of Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) in early substrates. The pH in the root zone skyrocketed within days, turning entire greenhouses yellow. This historical crisis taught the industry a vital lesson: The substrate is not just a sponge; it is a chemical buffer. Those who survived were the ones who switched to “Buffered” media that could stabilize pH. Today, companies like VEGRA have perfected this by offering Washed and Calcium-Buffered coir, ensuring you never repeat the mistakes of the 90s.
4. 2026 Trends: The Risk of “Substrate Compaction”
As we move further into 2026, the focus has shifted toward Air-Filled Porosity (AFP). A common issue today is substrate “slumping.” When a low-quality coir mix degrades, it loses oxygen, causing the EC to spike dangerously as salts get trapped in stagnant water.
Using high-stability mixes, such as VEGRA MIX, ensures that the Chip-to-Pith ratio remains constant. This allows for “flushing” the substrate without waterlogging the roots—a critical maneuver when you need to lower the EC quickly during a summer heatwave.
5. Managing the “Drain”: The Pro’s Secret
The most successful growers in 2026 don’t just measure what goes in; they obsess over what goes out.
- The Rule of Thumb: Your drainage EC should ideally be 0.5 – 1.0 units higher than your dripper EC.
- If the gap widens, you are accumulating salts (danger of root burn). Yield might be lower, however fruit quality, taste, smell and shelf life is very good. Limited is fruit size. Which could affect Your yields and incomes.
- If the gap narrows, your plants are “hungry,” and you are losing yield potential – due to losses of poor quality , not good taste ( acid), not good colour and with reduced shelf life of fruits
Summary: Your Foundation for 2026
Precision irrigation is useless if your substrate is working against you. Whether you are using VEGRA MAT for gutter-grown strawberries or VEGRA POT for high-density raspberry tunnels, the goal is the same: Total Parameter Stability.
In an industry where the weather is unpredictable and the markets are volatile, your pH and EC are the only things you can control. Don’t leave them to chance.