Teboza is celebrating its 80th anniversary. This company cultivates asparagus in the Netherlands and, for about the last ten years, in Spain. What started as a mixed farm gradually evolved in the 1980s into the exclusive cultivation of strawberries and asparagus. In 2001, Will Teeuwen, the third generation of the family business, decided to abandon summer strawberries to fully dedicate himself to the “white gold”. “Few companies focus entirely on asparagus. We don’t necessarily want to be the largest, but we want to be the best. Hence the exclusivity,” says Will.

Hello Will. Congratulations on the 80th anniversary of your asparagus production company. When and how did the business begin?
My grandmother, Marie Van Lier, grew up here in Helden in the Netherlands, where our farm is still located. She came from a farming family. When my grandfather, Lodewijk Teeuwen, married her, he moved to 15 Zandberg to run the farm. Asparagus was already a major spring crop—it was the first profitable one—but it wasn’t their only activity. They raised livestock, planted orchards, and harvested field vegetables each year. After WWII, it was a mixed farm supplying nearly all foodstuffs. Asparagus was labor-intensive and not the favorite crop. Labor remains a sector-wide challenge today.

Did you work on the farm as a child?
My father took over the business very early, in 1969. I was born the same year and I remember helping from the age of 10. In spring that meant seven days a week. We’d harvest asparagus in the morning, grab a quick sandwich at midday, sort the spears, and then go to the auction. In the 1980s, the farm was still small by today’s standards. Anyone with five hectares was considered a full-time farmer and could earn a decent living.

Does a modern asparagus farm need to be five times larger to be profitable?
The dynamics have changed completely. Until around 2015, virtually every asparagus grower made money. That’s no longer the case. Today, organization is much larger, and you must invest heavily in efficiency to maintain margins. Asparagus is not the easiest crop. Specialization is almost mandatory—but it pays off. The recent reduction in cultivated area is mainly because not everyone is automatically profitable with this crop. The days when asparagus growers could survive with the whole family helping in the fields are over. Some regret that the charm of this product has faded in that sense.

When did cultivated areas begin to shrink?
Historically, horticulturists didn’t always produce for the market—and perhaps still don’t. Many gardeners only considered the quantity they could plant and harvest themselves. So around ten years ago, asparagus supply exceeded market demand. Prices dropped, and areas shrank to the point where demand now exceeds supply. Consumption has risen sharply in recent years, partly because supermarkets have run big promotions each season.

But since restarting asparagus cultivation is costly—you need a specific scale and expensive machinery right away—I doubt the area will soon return to its former level. Furthermore, farm succession, climate, stricter environmental standards, and certification demands all impact yields.

An asparagus plant only reaches full production from the third year, right?
Yes. Plant now and you’ll have a small harvest next year—perhaps 25% capacity. The following year, you’ll hit around 70%, and only in the third year will you get full yields. It takes years before you start to make a profit.

Do you replace a certain percentage of your area with new plants each year?
A field lasts about ten years, so to stay in the game, we replace 15% of the area each year. Teboza is still growing, so we don’t just replace asparagus plants. Our current goal is to achieve an early harvest. The earlier customers get a quality product, the smoother sales go when volumes are large. Plus, it’s easier to have a steady supply—even though we can never entirely control it. Weather is decisive: sometimes too cold, sometimes too wet.

Spain, for example, where asparagus is also cultivated, has had a lot of rain this year. Does Teboza grow asparagus there?
We manage two outdoor sites in Andalusia where we grow only green asparagus. Harvest usually starts in February, but this year it was slightly delayed due to persistent rain. Starting in 2026, we plan to harvest in Spain from February to October—eight months. During the other four months, we bridge the gap, and when Spanish supply can’t meet demand, we import from abroad, mainly Mexico and Peru.

Green asparagus is gaining popularity and is a product we continue to expand. I believe that within our company, its sales will exceed those of white asparagus within five years. One of the upcoming challenges will be meeting the growing demand for green asparagus in particular, as European acreage won’t increase. Spain had enough water this year, but who knows if rainfall in coming years will fill water reservoirs.

Why do you think green asparagus sales might surpass white asparagus?
People eat green asparagus year-round and it’s versatile. It’s increasingly found in salads, for example. Even if white asparagus can be imported from South America or South Africa outside the Dutch season, consumers regard it as a spring product. That’s good—it preserves seasonality. White spears are available for about four to five months, late January from greenhouse, until late June for field-grown.

I’ve read labor is also a problem in Spain. Does that affect you?
In Spain, where we employ locals and migrant workers, wages are rising. That’s quite problematic. It’s also harder to find good soil there than in the Netherlands. In other words, it’s challenging. This year, challenges have been worsened by heavy rain and delayed harvests. Nevertheless, we’re growing rapidly in Spain and confident those investments will soon pay off.

Local growers who visit our plots see that things are heading in the right direction. They ask if they can grow for us. We have people to help them start, so our answer is often positive. However, we ensure we ourselves carry out three-quarters of the cultivation. Controlling the process remains the best guarantee of continuity and quality.

Are your Dutch crops arranged similarly?
In this region of the Netherlands, we have a loyal group of growers—mostly mixed farms—who supply us. That’s been the case for nearly 20 years and it works well. But it’s true that we also carry out most of the cultivation ourselves here too.

You mentioned labor. Do you use a selective harvester?
Yes. But I must say it still needs adjustment. The date we start using it will depend on this year’s results—but it won’t be long, because robotization is now a necessity. People are increasingly wary of migrant workers and wage pressure is strong. Yet current harvesters still need a lot of labor.

Are you seeking efficiency improvements elsewhere?
We have to do something each year because costs keep increasing. We plan to spend a significant amount on purchasing an even more advanced optical sorting machine to increase capacity and quality. Still, many packing tasks—like neatly placing asparagus on the conveyor belt—are done manually. There’s not yet an automated solution for that.

Do you package your asparagus in paper or plastic?
We mainly supply Dutch and Belgian retailers. The Dutch prefer flowpacks, whereas Belgians want their asparagus in a small tray. Because asparagus has high moisture content, uncoated cardboard packaging is not feasible. I understand the packaging debate, but packaging actually reduces waste. Offering loose asparagus in stores leads to throwing away one-third of it. That has an environmental cost, as you then have to produce one-third more to meet demand. I feel politicians make packaging decisions without consulting the industry enough.

What are Teboza’s biggest current challenges?
We’ve already discussed these: rising costs, climate change, and policy. First is cost increase—especially wages and input prices. These materials must be manufactured, and all sectors face rising labor costs. But it’s not easy to pass these increases on. Second is climate—an issue I wouldn’t have mentioned four years ago. I mean extreme weather conditions hitting all countries today. That forces us to spread our risks by focusing on multiple growing areas and different techniques.

Third, there’s lack of policy coherence and direction. The government seems more concerned with trivial matters than what really matters for horticulture. I hope there will be a turnaround because nothing disrupts entrepreneurs more than inconsistent policy.

For more info
Will Teeuwen
Teboza
Tel: +31 (0) 77 307 1444
w.teeuwen@teboza.nl
www.teboza.com 

At the height of the French asparagus season, the national association Asperges de France warns of “serious abuses threatening the economic balance of the sector, particularly in wholesale markets and non-supermarket retail circuits.”

Massive low-cost imports disrupting the market
“For over a month now, imported asparagus has been flooding the MIN (French wholesale markets) at particularly low prices,” explains Asperges de France. These foreign supplies, reportedly coming from Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, and Spain, “weaken the sales of French production during its peak season by placing heavy pressure on both prices and market outlets.” While the association emphasizes it is “not at all opposed to imports, which have their place when they complement the French offer during volume shortages,” it denounces “the massive use of foreign asparagus during the national production peak as a severe blow to French industry stakeholders who have been working for years to structure a high-quality, sustainable supply at fair prices.”

Suspicions of origin fraud (“francisation”)
Several recurring reports this season suggest that imported asparagus is being fraudulently relabeled as “Origin France,” especially at market stalls and in small-scale retail, outside the major distribution networks. Asperges de France reminds that “these practices are illegal, mislead consumers, and destroy trust in origin labeling,” also pointing to “significant economic losses” for the French asparagus sector. “This year’s relatively profitable price levels make these types of fraud even more tempting for unscrupulous operators.”

Unfair and destabilizing commercial practices
“The asparagus sector also suffers from its low level of organization. This partial structuring fosters unfair commercial practices, such as post-sale pricing (PAV), which are still too widespread.”

For more information:
AOP Nationale Asperges de France
MIN de BRIENNE
110 quai de Paludate
33800 Bordeaux – France
Tel: +33 (0)5 64 31 08 49
www.asperges-de-france.fr

 

The asparagus season in Belgium has been underway for two months, and the pop-up store opened for the first time this year by Asperge Bossuyt in Knokke-Heist is currently experiencing solid sales. “Preparation was well done. Customers know where to find the shop. Sales aren’t the same as at the farm. Processed asparagus products, like soups and ready-made dishes, are selling very well,” explains Kris Bossuyt, from the cultivation business in Oostrozebeke.

On Saturday, March 15th, Bossuyt opened the store at 218 Lippenslaan in the Flemish coastal town. “We definitely don’t regret the decision. This week was a bit quieter because of the cold weather at the coast, but temperatures are rising and we’re expecting more foot traffic soon. In any case, with Mother’s Day approaching, restaurants are ordering heavily. There are still differences in sales: unprocessed and peeled asparagus is still selling well, but as a percentage, prepared dishes are selling better here than at the farm.”

The producer is very satisfied with the season so far. “We started the white asparagus season with very high prices. I think I’ve never seen them that high for so long, but things are calming down now. Last week’s warm weather increased volumes, which brought prices down significantly. However, with the holidays coming up, we expect things to improve again. For green asparagus, the trend has been the opposite: prices stayed low for a long time, but volumes have dropped this week, which pushed prices up.” How things will evolve in the coming weeks remains to be seen. “May is always a strong month for asparagus, but after Pentecost, which falls on June 11 this year, prices tend to fall more quickly. We’ll see.”

And next year? “There will probably be another pop-up store. From an organizational standpoint, it was a reasonable challenge. Not to be underestimated, but we’re happy with how it went. That’s why we’re considering moving into a larger building on the coast — if we can manage it. It could mean we’ll have to scale up our operations, but we’ll evaluate the season in five or six weeks. Overall, we can definitely say it’s been a positive development.”

For more information:
Kris Bossuyt
Asperge Bossuyt
Tel: +32 472 801 140
info@verseasperges.be
www.verseasperges.be

The global strawberry market displays contrasting dynamics depending on the main production regions. While some countries benefit from massive production combined with stable demand, others must contend with climatic disruptions, growing competition, or changes in consumption habits. As the season progresses, producers adapt to these evolving conditions to maintain supply and meet market expectations.

In Italy, the market is lively in early May, driven by rising temperatures, while Sicily ensures constant supply thanks to staggered planting. In France, the campaign is in full swing, with sustained production and sales despite competitive pressure from Spanish strawberries.

In Germany, demand was slowed by cool weather and holidays, although local, Belgian, and Dutch strawberries retain a strong market presence. In Spain, Huelva’s production has declined, though prices have risen due to reduced availability.

In Switzerland, the season is intensifying, although recent cold weather has slowed fruit ripening. In Austria, a hailstorm in Burgenland heavily damaged crops, raising serious concerns among growers.

In the Netherlands, prices are surprisingly low ahead of Mother’s Day, despite steady production from Dutch and German suppliers. In the UK, favorable weather supports optimism, with consistently high fruit quality.

In Scotland, growers also approach the season with confidence, thanks to adequate sunshine promoting fruit quality. In North America, supply is expected to be abundant for summer holidays, with large volumes from Santa Maria, Baja, and Salinas.

In South Africa, the season is shifting from the Southern Cape to central regions, with stable demand despite high prices. In Egypt, weak fresh fruit prices have pushed many exporters toward frozen products, deemed more profitable.

Finally, Morocco’s strawberry industry is declining, as growers turn to blueberries and avocados due to falling prices and market challenges.

Italy: A dynamic market despite regional disparities in supply
The Italian strawberry market is particularly lively in early May, stimulated by rising temperatures. According to a major northern trader, another key factor is the current decline in Spanish exports to Italy, combined with reduced supplies from the south. Production is now concentrated in the north, notably in Veneto and Emilia-Romagna. While volumes in Emilia-Romagna are smaller, fruit quality remains excellent. In early May, prices were around €1.80 for a 500-gram tray in Verona, compared to €2.10 in Romagna.

A Sicilian grower states that the season began in November and will continue until the end of May. Production has been steady, with no major issues, especially regarding plant disease. Thanks to staggered planting of early and late varieties, the farm ensures a constant supply over seven months. The marketing schedule is set each February. The farm produces organic strawberries exported to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. The average price for the season was €3.50/kg, though it recently dropped to €2.50/kg. Fruits are packed in 30×40 cm cardboard boxes containing 250-gram R-Pet trays. Main varieties: Fortuna, Savana, Marimbella.

In Basilicata, the season is 70-80% complete, depending on the varieties grown. Harvest will continue through the end of May, despite some scheduling delays. Prices remain favorable for premium varieties with good firmness, while others are at acceptable levels. This campaign has been marked by low yields and unfavorable weather conditions. Although supply remains below demand, improvement is expected around May 20 with climate stabilization. Overall, prices have remained stable in May, partly due to the gradual decline in strawberry imports, which did not reach significant volumes this year.

France: The campaign peaks with sustained volumes
In early May, France’s strawberry campaign is in full swing, having passed its production peak. Main growing regions are actively harvesting. Sunny weather and high temperatures from the previous week triggered a strong influx of round strawberries, and volumes are expected to remain substantial. Although the production peak for round and Gariguette strawberries occurred in week 15, large quantities are still expected, with some regions still ramping up.

Despite the end of the most intense weeks, market absorption has remained smooth. This regularity is attributed to the effective organization of the French sector, relying on efficient commercial operators and well-targeted promotional campaigns. Even the May 1 holiday did not hinder sales.

Typically, the French season begins in the shadow of Spanish strawberries, which reach full production in March-April. However, this year, competition was softened by Spanish production difficulties due to weather, allowing French strawberries to gain shelf space more quickly. In May, national production covers around 70% of domestic demand. Prices have remained generally high, especially for elongated varieties. With the arrival of field-grown crops, quality has become more variable, leading to greater price fluctuations. Nonetheless, the season has started positively in terms of yields, consumption, pricing, and quality.

France is expected to produce about 60,000 tonnes of strawberries this year, roughly matching last year’s figure, to meet an estimated domestic demand of 120,000 tonnes.

Germany: Falling demand after Easter despite rising supply
Colder temperatures and school holidays significantly dampened strawberry demand in the week following Easter, even as supply increased. Local strawberries gained market presence but showed uneven quality—some were overly large or too pale, reducing their appeal. Dutch strawberries, by contrast, dominated the market with consistently high quality. According to BLE, supply from the Netherlands remained somewhat limited, which helped maintain high prices, although these varied by variety and fruit coloration. In addition to strawberries from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, imports from Greece, Italy, and Spain remained available. Aldi Süd launched the second season of its exclusive local variety ALDIna in week 20.

Spain remains Germany’s top strawberry supplier, followed by Greece and the Netherlands. However, Spanish imports declined by about 13,000 tonnes between 2021 and 2024, while Greek imports rose by 6,000 tonnes. Domestic production also fell, with around 120,000 tonnes harvested in 2024. Roughly one-third of this volume comes from covered cultivation, a steadily growing technique. Over the past ten years, protected cultivation areas have more than tripled.

Regionally, Lower Saxony remains Germany’s leading production area with 2,852 hectares, followed by North Rhine-Westphalia (2,457 ha) and Baden-Württemberg (2,381 ha). These three regions continue to play a key role in national supply.

Spain: Huelva strawberry production declines despite April peak
Until March, strawberry volumes sold from Huelva were below the same period the previous year. However, after the rains ended, harvests surged in the first half of April as the plants hit their production peak.

From the third week of April onward, sales dropped sharply—by an estimated 35% week-on-week. Since then, production has continued to decline, according to the Andalusian regional government. Officials stated, “In the past week, marketed volumes decreased significantly again. After three consecutive seasons of declining output, all indicators suggest this year will mark a fourth drop.”

Meanwhile, farmgate prices are on the rise due to shrinking supply. In week 16, prices increased by around 5.6% from the previous week, and were 24% higher than the five-year average.

Switzerland: Season gaining momentum despite temporary slowdown
The Swiss strawberry season is gaining traction, with 22 tonnes harvested during the week after Easter. Peak harvest is expected between May 19 and June 14, during which up to 1,000 tonnes could be harvested weekly. The Swiss Fruit Association anticipates a total crop of around 7,500 tonnes, with quality currently rated as excellent.

However, recent weather has slowed progress. Week 19 saw a cold, wet spell with maximum temperatures around 10°C, temporarily stalling fruit ripening. A spokesperson from Tobi Seeobst AG, one of the country’s leading fruit cooperatives, stated, “This cold snap severely disrupts the ripening process, which will only fully resume with the return of warmer weather, likely later this week.”

Despite this setback, prospects remain strong. “We generally expect a bountiful harvest—provided the weather improves in the coming weeks. The peak is forecast for weeks 21 and 22,” the spokesperson added.

Austria: Hailstorm damages early harvests in Burgenland
A violent hailstorm in week 18 severely affected parts of Burgenland, causing major crop damage. Producer Adolf Nikles, based in Kukmirn, voiced his dismay: “Open-field cultivation is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with hailstorms this early, like those on May 3–4.” His early strawberry varieties were particularly hard hit, with 80–90% destroyed. The first fruits, initially expected the following week, will likely not be marketable.

As a result, local strawberries are scarce on the market, especially in Vienna, where supply is dominated by imports from Belgium and Spain. Italian strawberries are also well represented in supermarkets, offering an alternative for consumers.

Netherlands: Surprisingly low prices before Mother’s Day
In the Netherlands, strawberry prices usually rise ahead of Mother’s Day. This year is an exception, with surprisingly low prices, according to industry players. “Auction prices this week have ranged between €1.70 and €1.80 per kilo. Despite retail programs being in place, prices remain low due to abundant supply,” traders report.

Warm weather has sped up fruit development, leading to an earlier harvest than usual. Even tunnel-grown strawberries, typically later in the season, have already reached the market. Meanwhile, German production has kicked off strongly, further boosting supply and putting additional pressure on prices.

England: Promising strawberry season thanks to mild weather
Favorable weather conditions—sunny days and cool nights—are contributing to excellent strawberry quality. Producers are optimistic, supported by a mild winter and spring. While volumes are expected to be high, some concerns remain about a potential glut in July. However, the industry hopes to avoid the sudden production peaks seen last year.

Increased winter demand for imported strawberries has set the stage for a strong start to domestic production. Growers are counting on consistent quality and stable weather to ensure steady sales throughout the season.

Scotland: Good early signs for the season
In Scotland, where the season starts later than in England, the first fruits are just being harvested. Growers are cautiously optimistic. Sunlight levels have been favorable, and plants show an abundance of flowers and fruits, suggesting good yields ahead.

North America: Abundant supply expected for summer holidays
In California, strawberry supply remains high, particularly in Santa Maria, where production increased significantly last week. The region is expected to maintain high-quality output for at least eight more weeks. The harvest schedule is similar to last year, though slight delays may occur due to moderate temperatures.

Beyond Santa Maria, northern Baja is also producing good volumes, while Oxnard continues harvesting. However, Oxnard’s output is expected to decrease over the next four to eight weeks. Salinas is just starting its season, with production peaks expected from mid-May through July. Overall, prospects remain positive for Santa Maria, Baja, and Salinas.

Strawberry demand was strong, especially around Easter—which came later this year—allowing markets to benefit from higher volumes. Mother’s Day also drives significant demand, expected to continue through Memorial Day weekend and into early summer.

Overall, the North American market appears well-prepared for a successful summer season, with steady production and sustained consumer demand.

South Africa: Production shifts from Southern Cape to central regions
South Africa’s strawberry season is shifting from the Southern Cape to the central regions of Brits and Bela-Bela. A Johannesburg market agent noted that the last deliveries from George and the first from the new areas have arrived.

“Prices remain relatively high, so customers are only buying what they absolutely need,” he said, noting that demand remains steady from caterers, restaurants, hotels, retailers, and households, all of whom are fond of strawberries.

Currently, 250-gram punnets sell for between €1.45 and €1.90 at market, and up to €3.00 at premium outlets. Available volumes are expected to increase in June and July as the season progresses.

Strawberry acreage continues to expand in South Africa, driven by growing domestic demand and increasing export interest, particularly to the Middle East, where strawberry demand is described as “insatiable.”

Egypt: Tough season for fresh strawberries, frozen segment gains ground
In Egypt, the fresh strawberry season (November to March) saw massive demand, but prices did not meet exporters’ expectations. As a result, many turned to freezing earlier than usual—starting in late November instead of January or February. Exporters initially set high prices to offset rising production costs, with opening prices sometimes double those of the previous season.

Despite this strategy, prices plummeted in the first week, dropping nearly 70%. This sharp decline was due to weak demand and market resistance to high pricing. Demand peaked between November and January, mainly in Europe, Arab countries, and parts of Asia. Outside this window, Egypt’s fresh strawberry market remained extremely limited.

As such, the 2024–2025 season has been difficult for Egypt’s fresh strawberry sector, weighed down by low prices and rising production costs. Many exporters have shifted to frozen strawberries, seen as a more profitable alternative. This segment has become a lifeline, with export volumes estimated at 350,000 tonnes.

Morocco: Strawberry industry declines in favor of other crops
In Morocco, the strawberry industry is in sharp decline, as many growers switch to more profitable crops like blueberries and avocados. Strawberry acreage has dropped significantly, from 3,700 hectares in 2022 to just 2,300 hectares in 2025. This shift is largely due to intensifying competition, which has put downward pressure on prices. Moroccan strawberries remain 10–15% more expensive than their Egyptian counterparts.

Traditionally, Morocco’s fresh strawberry season ends in late March, when EU import tariffs kick in, prompting a shift to frozen processing. However, this year, most exporters ended their fresh campaigns early—in the first week of March. Heavy rainfall in Larache damaged crops and disrupted exports, worsening the sector’s difficulties.

Producers also face other challenges: declining plant quality, rising disease pressure, and labor shortages during peak harvest. These issues compound a general climate of uncertainty. One grower representative shared his concern: “I’m particularly pessimistic about the future of Morocco’s strawberry industry.”

Chris Chinn – Cobrey Farms

English asparagus in peak season this week

The English asparagus season is now at its peak; the official start of the season was 23rd April, St George’s Day.

“The start of the tunnel crop season was very average with dull weather in January and February,” said Chris Chinn from Cobrey Farms. “In March, however, we had bright, cool days and a very nice spring all round. The warmth meant that the asparagus was just waiting under the surface, and this week has certainly seen the volumes come on.”

Next week sees another bank holiday in England and although this may encourage sales, Chris said that it causes challenges for sales and also harvesting. “We have to double up, but that doesn’t really work with asparagus.”

Chris expects the season to peak through May and then tail off in June.

Cobrey has mostly green asparagus, some purple, and a small amount of white.

For more information:
Chris Chinn
Cobrey Farms
Tel: +44 1989 562 770
Email: chris@cobrey.co.uk
www.cobrey.co.uk