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2024 Michigan asparagus season underway The Michigan Asparagus season has begun and the vegetable is arriving in stores about a week earlier than normal due to a warmer winter by FreshPlaza and Michigan Asparagus

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2024 Michigan asparagus season underway

The Michigan Asparagus season has begun and the vegetable is arriving in stores about a week earlier than normal due to a warmer winter.
With volume on track, consumers can look for « Michigan Grown » labels indicating locally grown U.S. products. They can also look for point-of-sale and promotional materials with more information including tips and recipes at their local grocery stores. There are nearly 100 Michigan farm families committed to providing premium, sustainable products.

« Supporting Michigan asparagus growers is the key to ensuring high-quality, premium products remain in the produce section for years to come, » says Sarah Greiner of Todd Greiner Farms and chair of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board (MAAB). « As sustainable and local messaging continue to remain top-of-mind, featuring our product signifies a commitment to not only supporting local growers but meeting consumer demand for healthier foods that meet their health and dietary needs. »

Left to right: Sarah Greiner, Jamie Clover Adams

« With Michigan Asparagus, consumers can enjoy the taste, without feeling guilty about helping themselves to seconds at the dinner table or enjoying it as a late-night snack, » says Jamie Clover Adams, executive director of the MAAB.

As digital marketing continues to drive purchasing, a recent study reported that 44 percent of consumers prefer to learn about a new product via video content. Throughout the season, MAAB will incorporate different forms of digital marketing including working with a dog content creator to create recipe content (both human and pet-friendly), advertising online and on social media, and having a recipe content creator visit Michigan to document her visit.

Additionally, MAAB is supporting sales by significantly investing in retail and in-store promotions and working with key partners to identify how to encourage impulse purchasing. The efforts will be a mix of both online and traditional marketing to capture all age demographics who have different preferences for the shopping experience.

For more information:
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board
Tel: +1 (517) 669-4250
jamie@michiganasparagus.org
www.michiganasparagus.org

 

 

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El sector esparraguero reclama que la agroindustria pague entre 2,80 y 2,90 €/kg Tensión en el sector del espárrago de Navarra por bajada de precios por FreshPlaza y Diario de Navarra

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El sector esparraguero reclama que la agroindustria pague entre 2,80 y 2,90 €/kg

Tensión en el sector del espárrago de Navarra por bajada de precios
El sector esparraguero de Navarra experimenta una situación de incertidumbre debido unas condiciones meteorológicas adversas que han mermado la producción de turiones. Aunque aún es prematuro determinar si esto ha mermado la cosecha en comparación con los casi 4 millones de kilos certificados por la IGP Espárrago de Navarra el año anterior, la preocupación principal radica en la fluctuación de precios. El sindicato UAGN ha denunciado públicamente a una conservera por reducir el precio pagado a los agricultores entre 30 y 40 céntimos por kilo, una práctica que difiere del compromiso de otras empresas de mantener los precios estables.

La asociación ALINAR, representante de las industrias agroalimentarias de Navarra, La Rioja y Aragón, subraya la importancia de sostener la producción del espárrago para asegurar su atractivo entre los agricultores. A pesar de contar con un excedente de producto, ALINAR reafirma su compromiso de mantener una estrategia de apoyo a la calidad y viabilidad a largo plazo del cultivo de espárrago, aunque aclara que no tiene capacidad para negociar precios directamente.

El impacto de la reducción de precios tiene una fuete repercusión para los agricultores, especialmente en un contexto de incremento de los costos de producción. La preocupación se extiende también a los más de 1.300 temporeros desplazados desde Andalucía, pues la rentabilidad de su trabajo podría verse comprometida y eso dificultaría la contratación de mano de obra local.

Marcelino Etayo, presidente de la IGP Espárrago de Navarra y agricultor, califica la situación actual como inviable, y enfatiza la necesidad de mantener precios justos para asegurar la rentabilidad de las producciones. El sindicato UAGN resalta el valor social y económico del espárrago, que no solo genera empleo, sino que también contribuye a mantener la población en zonas rurales. La organización insta al Gobierno de Navarra a garantizar la continuidad del cultivo mediante mayor inversión en promoción, investigación, control de importaciones y aplicación efectiva de la Ley de la Cadena Alimentaria.

Fuente: diariodenavarra.es

 

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USMCA Seasonal Perishable Products Weekly Update: Asparagus growers continue their transition from Caborca to the Obregon, Constitution regions by FreshPlaza

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USMCA Seasonal Perishable Products Weekly Update:

Asparagus growers continue their transition from Caborca to the Obregon, Constitution regions

Chaparral Bridge, Tijuana, Mexico opening delayed: On April 12, 2024, Salvador Rivera reported that the reopening of the Chaparral Bridge, Tijuana, Mexico, was delayed an additional three months as a wide crack on the bridge revealed it was in danger of collapsing. The Chaparral Bridge is a key link for drivers heading to and from the San Ysidro, California, Port of Entry and is a primary cause for increased traffic congestion and up to three-hour delays. The bridge was expected to be ready in January, however, additional structural damage was found, requiring even more repairs.

Asparagus growers continue their transition from Caborca to the Obregon, Constitution regions. Demand is still light as there is adequate supply and not much retail demand this week. The ten-day weather forecast for Obregon is clear to partly cloudy skies, with an average high of 87 and a low of 64. The last F.O.B. reports for Calexico, California, and San Luis, Arizona, crossings are expected this week. The first F.O.B. report for Mexico crossings through Arizona/California/Texas will begin around April 25. Movement from Mexico crossings through Calexico, California, and Arizona is expected to decrease seasonally. Trading Fairly Slow. Prices Lower.

Avocado prices are better, and demand is good. However, heavy supplies of older fruit with high oil content continues to pressure the overall market, especially on the smaller sizes 70s and 84s. Shippers are concerned that growers are increasing harvest, lightening the upswing in demand. Movement is expected to remain about the same. Trading is fairly slow. Prices of organic 60-70s are higher due to limited supplies, conventional 32-70s are lower, others are generally unchanged.

Click here to read the full report.

Source: mymarketnews.ams.usda.gov

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Ontario green asparagus season to start May 5 by FreshPlaza

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Ontario green asparagus season to start May 5

Ontario experienced a light winter with warmer than usual weather. « These are uncommon conditions, » says Carmen Bartucci with Canam Fresh. However, it results in a good outlook for both asparagus supply and quality this upcoming season. Harvest in Ontario’s Simcoe area will kick off May 5 and the season is expected to end July 20th.

Out of Canam Fresh’s total supply, about 35 percent will stay in the Canadian market and will be sold to all major retailers in Ontario. « This season, we are planning on a 10 percent increase in consumption, » Bartucci shared. This increase will be driven by retail promotions as well as cost of goods. « Many fresh produce items have experienced significant price increases at retail level, but asparagus has remained relatively affordable. It will be in the realm of cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts, and green beans. » Initially, price increases caused a shock at retail. However, consumers have increasingly accepted, and the expectation is for asparagus sales to go up.

The remaining 65 percent of production will go to the United States, a large consumer of green asparagus. « Ontario has a good window of supply. While we overlap with Michigan, we start up after New Jersey and Washington. » As a result, Ontario typically sees strong interest from the U.S. during its asparagus season.

Purple asparagus
About one percent of the company’s asparagus program is made up of purple asparagus. It’s very much a specialty, high-end product that is double the price of green asparagus. « The flavor is phenomenal, and its distinct color makes purple asparagus very appealing to restaurants and hotels, » Bartucci shared. Therefore, it’s predominantly sold to foodservice. Since the diameter of purple asparagus is a bit bigger than green asparagus, it takes longer for the product to grow and mature. As a result, the season is expected to start May 12. Just like its green counterpart, harvest will finish July 20th.

For more information:
Carmen Bartucci
Canam Fresh
Carmen.bartucci@canamfresh.com
www.canamfresh.com