Asparagus growers in New Zealand face new market challenges

A surplus of fresh, affordable vegetables has introduced a new challenge for asparagus growers. The Asparagus Growers Council, led by chairperson Cam Lewis, has highlighted the difficulties faced by asparagus producers, particularly in the last couple of years, due to an imbalance between supply and demand. This imbalance led to asparagus being sold at extremely low prices, with some growers even offering incentives such as travel vouchers to encourage purchases.

According to Lewis, the perennial nature of asparagus differentiates it from other vegetables, limiting growers’ ability to adjust production in response to fluctuating market demands. As the harvesting season commences, there is a cautious optimism among growers, despite the current high prices due to limited supply, which are expected to decrease as production increases.

Lewis, who operates in Horowhenua, a significant asparagus-producing region, emphasized the growers’ desire to move past the previous season’s challenges. He remains hopeful that asparagus enthusiasts will continue to support the vegetable, especially given its short seasonality. Additionally, the resolution of labor shortages, a problem in past years, has been a positive development for the industry. Lewis reported a significant response to job advertisements, indicating that labor will not be a concern for the current season. The focus now is on aligning harvest volumes with market demand and consumer feedback.

Source: RNZ