Prices struggle to hold up
The demand for asparagus increased at Easter, but there was a noticeable drop in the volumes sold compared to previous years. « There was no particular pressure at Easter time. Volumes were not very high, so supply adapted to the demand, and it was difficult to maintain prices. Sales were lower at Easter than in previous years, maybe due to the higher prices. Easter also came early this year, while it is usually celebrated at the heart of the asparagus season, so we were not able to offer the same prices as if Easter fell a couple weeks later. »

Consumers want the PGI label
It is precisely in this rather limited context of production that the PGI can make the difference. « In the past, with or without PGI, we have had to lower our prices when the market was saturated and volumes were considerable in all basins. But in the current context, the PGI can make all the difference. It reassures consumers and helps maintain prices. People are willing to pay the price as long as they get a quality product. Asparagus are now produced almost everywhere in France, so the PGI label is fundamental to the trade and to the promotion of asparagus. It is a guarantee of a particular identity and an asparagus with very little bitterness and a slightly sweeter taste. »

Expansion in line with the market
The asparagus from the Blayais region appeals to consumers thanks to its taste qualities, but it is also attracting growing interest from producers. « Our region is a wine-growing area. It is the region’s core business. Today, the wine industry is in crisis, especially in the Bordeaux region. And with over 70% of sand in the soil, asparagus has become the crop of choice for diversification in northern Gironde. As a result, over the last 3-4 years, we have been integrating more and more producers, although the volumes produced have not increased significantly, given the fragmented nature of our geographical area. »

Production growth must nevertheless be in line with the market situation. « We must not fall into the same trap as the wine industry. In other words, we must not over-plant and over-produce without taking into account the market’s capacity to absorb these volumes. We need to be reasonable and consistent with marketing. It is imperative that we respect all the rules of production and quality, to pay attention to the distribution circuit, to pricing and, of course, we must work together and stay united. »

For more information:
Danielle Chambaraud
Association IGP Asperges du Blayais
Danielle.chambaraud@asperges-blandine.fr

Strong Easter pull promising for remainder of season
The past few years have been challenging for green asparagus

Right now, it’s the most important time for green asparagus production in Mexico. « We grow green asparagus in the state of Sonora and peak time is from January through April, » says Denys Sam, Sales Director with Altar Produce. Fortunately, the season in Caborca, Sonora has been much better than the previous one with an increase in production of nearly 30 percent. « The weather conditions were favorable as we didn’t experience many cold fronts, nor any extremely high temperatures. This really helped with both volume and quality of harvested product, » Sam added.

Contracted demand
Favorable growing conditions were much needed because the last three months of 2023 as well as January 2024 were very complex and trialing. « The challenges were mainly related to shortage of supply caused by weather issues, which resulted in very high prices. » In fact, this describes the past few years of green asparagus. Supply issues in different production zones worldwide affected overall demand. « Consumers couldn’t count on seeing asparagus on the shelves and gradually lost interest. High prices also impacted demand in a negative way. » Good availability is needed for asparagus to remain relevant and end up on consumers’ tables.

Prices recovering
Fortunately, the supply situation in Caborca changed in a positive way in February. However, contracted demand resulted in a rapid collapse in prices for the season. « From February onwards, the strong harvest and contraction in demand, resulted in a rapid fall of prices, » Sam said. However, due to a combination of a strong Easter pull and an anticipated production decrease towards the latter part of the season, prices are expected to increase significantly.

Early Easter is beneficial
On a positive note, the uptick in production allowed for very good promotions at retailers across the U.S. as well as outside the country. « We were able to push volume in our main markets worldwide, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. It resulted in asparagus returning to shelves at competitive prices, significantly stimulating demand. » It also had a positive impact on the Easter pull. The promotions and good product availability during the months of February and March created strong demand leading up to Easter. As a result, the Easter pull was much better than expected.

« Easter is an important holiday because there is always more demand than usual and an early Easter like this year, is very beneficial for us, » commented Sam. If Easter is celebrated at the end of March like this year, it aligns much better with the production window of asparagus. « There is still plenty of product available, allowing us to offer better promotions. If Easter, however, is celebrated in the second week of April, it is very close to the end of the season when supplies tighten up and room for promotions becomes limited. »

« Sustained interest and an increase in sales allowed for price levels to improve and I am confident this will create a positive precedent for demand for the remainder of 2024, » concluded Sam.

For more information:
Denys Sam
Altar Produce
Tel: +1 (760) 890-8132
Email: dsam@altarproduce.com
www.altarproduce.com

« Aunque empezamos con muy pocos kilos en febrero, llevamos desde el pasado fin de semana trabajando con cantidades más importantes que permiten abrir líneas con la gran distribución europea », cuenta José Antonio Gómez Aguilera, presidente de la cooperativa Espárrago de Granada. « No obstante, se prevé que la próxima semana haga más frío y que vuelva a ralentizarse la producción », avisa.

La campaña del espárrago verde empezó con precios inferiores a los del año pasado. « Todavía queda bastante espárrago de México en los lineales europeos, que ha sido más barato este año. Aunque son más bajos, se trata, de momento, de precios aceptables que permiten cubrir el aumento de los costes de manipulación y mano de obra. Esperamos que aquellas cadenas europeas que todavía no lo han hecho puedan dar pronto el paso a la producción española », afirma José Antonio Gómez.

Las recientes lluvias han dado un notable alivio a las producciones de espárrago verde en Granada, donde se acusa una importante sequía que mantiene las reservas de agua a niveles preocupantemente bajos que suponen también un gran limitante para que la superficie de este cultivo siga expandiéndose. « Las lluvias de marzo han sido un gran alivio », manifiesta el presidente de esta cooperativa. « Gracias a ello podremos contar con un producto de mejor calidad y calibres ».

« Aunque esperamos volúmenes algo mayores que en la campaña pasada, a priori no se prevén picos de producción, sino una cosecha escalonada, siguiendo la tendencia de los últimos años », sostiene José Antonio Gómez. La producción de Granada se complementa en España con el producto procedente de Antequera, Sevilla, Córdoba o Guadalajara. Si bien Italia también compite en fechas similares, su producción bajó bastante el año pasado, de acuerdo con el representante de esta cooperativa granadina.

Espárrago de Granada destina su producción principalmente a la exportación, especialmente en Alemania, Suiza, Países Bajos y Dinamarca, donde, de acuerdo con José Antonio, « se valora y se paga algo más por el espárrago español respecto al mexicano, por su mayor frescura y calidad y la menor huella de carbono dada su cercanía. Esperamos que en unos 10 o 15 días se agote la producción mexicana ».

Para más información:
José Antonio Gómez Aguilera
Espárrago de Granada, S.C.A.
T: +34 958513061
M:+34 658770678
joseantonio@esparragodegranada.es
esparragodegranada.eu/