« La campagne d’asperges française n’est pas finie »
Avec un démarrage relativement précoce induit par de belles journées printanières qui ont ensoleillé le Nord de la France au mois d’avril, la campagne de l’asperge se déroulait plutôt bien. Mais depuis une dizaine de jours, la situation a totalement basculé. En cause ? Un manque de consommation qui paralyse la production. « Plus personne ne veut d’asperges. On a l’impression que la campagne est finie, alors que la production est encore très active dans certaines régions. Nous vendions 40 caisses sur notre magasin à la ferme au mois d’avril, aujourd’hui nous sommes à peine à 10. Quant aux détaillants sur les marchés, ils n’en veulent plus », précise Olivier Thomas, gérant de la Ferme du Pont d’Achelles.
Un gain en précocité qui décale le pic de consommation Une situation qui ressemble à celle de l’année 2022 qui avait fait face à des difficultés similaires en termes de manque de consommation. « Lorsque nous nous sommes lancés dans la culture de l’asperge il y a 20 ans, nous commencions la saison en mai et la fête des mères correspondait à notre pic de production. Aujourd’hui, grâce aux techniques de production qui ont évolué, nous pouvons commencer dès le début du mois d’avril. Les gros bassins de production du Sud ont elles aussi gagné en précocité, commençant même pour certaines exploitations leur campagne en février. Cela a pour conséquence de décaler la consommation. Les gens sont ravis de retrouver de l’asperge en amont du printemps, mais fin mai, ils sont lassés et veulent d’autres produits. Si la fête des mères était un moment phare de la campagne d’asperges il y a 20 ans, cette année la consommation a été atone ».
Belgique et Pays-Bas : des asperges à des prix défiant toute concurrence Une triste réalité qui, outre par ce gain en précocité d’année en année, peut être expliquée par d’autres facteurs : « L’année dernière, la consommation était encore dynamique fin mai grâce à une météo pluvieuse qui n’incitait pas à faire la transition vers des produits plus estivaux. Ce qui n’est pas le cas cette année. Ce printemps 2025 est plus ensoleillé et plus chaud, les gens n’ont donc plus envie fin mai de consommer de l’asperge sachant qu’ils ont commencé pour la plupart en mars. Ils veulent passer à des produits plus estivaux. Le manque de consommation d’asperges françaises est aggravé par le fait que l’on retrouve actuellement sur le MIN de Lomme de la marchandise hollandaise et belge à 2 euros le kilo. Cela fait partie de leur stratégie, lorsque les Belges et les Hollandais ont trop de production, pour assainir leur marché intérieur ils envoient de la marchandise à des prix défiant toute concurrence sur les marchés étrangers. Ce qui a inévitablement une incidence sur les producteurs français ».
Une campagne qui risque de se terminer prématurément Face à ce manque de consommation, la campagne tend à s’écourter : « Nous avions le potentiel de récolter encore pendant un petit mois, mais allons devoir écourter la campagne. Cela ne sert à rien de continuer à récolter les asperges si nous ne pouvons pas les vendre. Nous en avons encore dans les frigos et la main d’œuvre pour la récolte est très onéreuse. Nous avons déjà arrêté 3 hectares pour éviter de jeter de la marchandise ».
Si le consommateur semble avoir envie de clôturer le chapitre 2025 de la saison de l’asperge, baisse de consommation qui coïnciderait avec la fin de la campagne des gros bassins de production du Sud, la production est loin d’être terminée dans les autres bassins de production : « Il y a encore des asperges dans le Nord, la Bretagne, le bassin parisien ou même dans la région Centre. En Alsace également, bien qu’ils aient leur propre marché local. Il n’y a même plus de cotations RNM pour notre région, alors qu’il y a encore de la marchandise. On a la sensation qu’une fois que les gros bassins de production ont fini leur campagne, la saison est pliée. Or, il y a encore beaucoup de petits producteurs indépendants et cela donne la sensation d’être laissés pour compte car pour nous, la saison d’asperges n’est pas encore finie… ».
The global blueberry market is experiencing a dynamic 2025 season marked by regional challenges and shifting supply patterns. In Spain, Huelva’s role as a key supplier to the UK has been disrupted by a lack of production peaks and the wettest start to the year in 150 years, prompting a shift in sourcing toward Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Italy has seen a 20% increase in blueberry sales between January and April, driven by early domestic production and growing consumer interest, with retailers preparing for summer promotions as new varieties extend the season.In Poland, early frost impacted green fruit on some farms, but the widespread distribution of plantations helped stabilise the national crop, which was only slightly lower than in 2023. Exports rose by 17%, while imports from Ukraine remain relatively modest. In Serbia, harvesting is expected to begin around week 24, with the Duke variety quickly increasing in volume within a week to ten days. About three weeks later, supply from Romania will follow, ahead of volumes from Germany, the Netherlands, and, cautiously, Poland. The late June to mid-August window (weeks 25 to 32/33) is expected to be ideal for promotions and larger pack formats.
Germany reported strong winter demand supported by consistent quality from Peruvian and Chilean supplies, and a smooth transition to spring is expected, with domestic and Dutch volumes arriving in mid to late June.
French markets are seeing lower prices this May compared to last year, due to higher volumes from Spain and Morocco and a mix of quality levels. Demand remains strong as the local harvest is set to begin within two weeks. In North America, Florida and Georgia have seen significant yield reductions from hurricanes and pollination issues, but later-season regions like North Carolina and California are now ramping up, with more areas coming into production through July.
Southern Africa is also entering the season with cautious optimism. Zimbabwe’s harvest is picking up pace, and South African exporters expect similar volumes to last year despite past frost damage. However, with a large crop expected from Peru, strong marketing efforts will be essential to secure competitive pricing, especially as demand in Far East markets grows for larger berries in premium packaging.
Spain: Unstable supply challenges UK blueberry sourcing Huelva, Spain, is a major supplier of blueberries to the UK, but this year has proven challenging. There have been none of the usual production peaks that retailers depend on for promotions. Morocco has indicated larger volumes, but these have not materialised in the UK market; however, the quality of Moroccan blueberries remains good.
Spain and Portugal have experienced the wettest start to a year in 150 years.
“There is now an interesting dynamic—pre-season, no one was willing to commit to volumes. We are selling now and transitioning to Eastern European supply,” said one trader.
Poland experienced very cold weather around ten days ago, with a similar situation reported in Romania. As a result, blueberries will need to be sourced from other countries such as Serbia, Bulgaria, Georgia, and even Ukraine to ensure a strong supply.
Demand for blueberries remains stable throughout the year, as they have become a commodity and are widely consumed as a snack.
In the UK, consumer demand is present, but retailers must achieve the right price point before launching promotions. Currently, growers are not under pressure to move large volumes at low prices.
Italy: Sales rise and production expands From January to April 2025, blueberry sales increased by 20% compared to the same period the previous year. This consumption trend was observed in a major retail chain in central Italy with over 200 stores. According to the fruit and vegetable purchasing manager, blueberries are experiencing a growth trend similar to that of avocados a few years ago. Currently, the blueberries on sale are both imported and domestic, as the first domestic production has begun. The most common packaging is the 125-gram tray. During the summer, when full Italian production begins, they will also be available in 250-gram trays or 400-gram cups. This week, the 125-gram tray is selling for €2.19. Retail stores are able to run promotions to increase consumption during the summer months.
Meanwhile, a major nursery company in northern Italy has announced new collaborations with top international breeders and the launch of new high-performing varieties that can extend the production calendar. This demonstrates continued interest in the crop.
The blueberry production and marketing campaign began about 15 days ago in Campania with small quantities. The market is responding well in terms of demand and prices.
According to YouGov data, investments in blueberry research and development have paid off in recent years. More than 2.5 million Italian households consume these fruits at least once a month between March and July, peaking at over 3 million households in May 2024. The consumption season is therefore extensive, allowing for an average of more than six purchases per household per year. Each purchase averages more than €3.30 for packages of just over 250 grams, demonstrating the value attributed to this small fruit.
Poland: Blueberry supply steady despite frost For blueberries, the acreage is no longer expanding at a very fast pace, but varietal changeover is gaining momentum at existing plantations. Due to growing demand for off-season fruit, many producers and exporters have also started importing berries to ensure a year-round supply. This availability is further boosting demand, as it makes it easier for consumers to develop the habit of eating soft fruit regularly throughout the year.
The main challenge of the 2024 season was the very early and rapid start of the growing cycle, which meant that on some farms, the May frost affected green fruit instead of flowers. This led to heavy losses, as green fruit is much more vulnerable to frost damage. However, the frost was localised and impacted growers to varying degrees. Overall, thanks to the widespread distribution of Polish farms across nearly all regions of the country, the total blueberry crop was only slightly lower than in 2023.
According to data from Agronometrics, blueberry exports actually exceeded those of 2023 by 17%, reaching nearly 26,000 tons. It is also worth noting that imports of blueberries from Ukraine—and therefore re-exports of Ukrainian fruit from Poland—are significantly lower than often assumed. The Polish State Plant Health and Seed Inspection Service reported that 1.7 thousand tons of blueberries crossed the Ukrainian-Polish border in 2023, while in 2024 that figure rose to 3.1 thousand tons.
At this point, a similar blueberry harvest to 2024 is expected, as potential crop losses due to frost are offset by recent plantings reaching full production. The harvest of other berries for the fresh market is expected to be higher than last year, due to increasing acreage and the fact that most of this fruit is now grown under covers.
Netherlands: Strong prices and quality for Moroccan blueberries; volumes fell short “We are now rapidly approaching the end of the Moroccan blueberry season. From both a quality and pricing standpoint, it has been an excellent season, although the volumes have fallen short of expectations. Yields in the fields were significantly lower than anticipated. Nevertheless, consumer demand has been exceptionally strong. Volumes moved swiftly with no buildup or surplus. The entire market focused exclusively on fresh sales, which ultimately benefited the consumer,” explained a Dutch importer.
“In contrast, the Spanish blueberry season has failed to gain momentum, and it is unlikely to do so now, as we are already well advanced in the season. This is truly regrettable for the Spanish growers.”
“Looking ahead, Serbia is expected to commence harvesting around week 24. Once picking begins, substantial volumes should become available within 7 to 10 days. The Duke variety, which constitutes the majority of the Serbian crop, will quickly ramp up production. Approximately three weeks later, blueberries from Romania, Germany, the Netherlands, and, cautiously, from Poland will start to appear on the market. From weeks 25 to 32/33, it will be an ideal time to focus on larger pack sizes and promotional activities. Consumers will have the opportunity to enjoy high-quality blueberries,” the berry trader added.
Germany: Strong winter demand and smooth transition to spring supply There was pleasing demand for blueberries throughout the winter, says a wholesaler. “The quality of the overseas produce, whether of Peruvian or Chilean origin, was also convincing and stable. At the start of the Moroccan season at the end of February, followed by Spain from mid-March, there were also no abundant surpluses from overseas, so we had a fairly seamless seasonal transition this year.”
The first arrivals from German and Dutch cultivation are expected in mid to late June. “However, it has to be said that there are generally fewer German blueberries available for the free market, i.e., the wholesale markets.”
France: Market sees lower prices ahead of local harvest On the French market, blueberries come mainly from Spain, but also from Morocco, Portugal, and, in small quantities, from Peru. In May 2025, blueberry prices in France are generally lower than in May 2024, due in particular to more abundant production in Spain and Morocco, as well as the presence of batches of variable quality and cheaper imported blueberries. These factors have forced distributors to adjust their prices downward. Demand is strong, particularly with the return of fine weather. Harvesting of French blueberries is set to begin in about two weeks.
North America: Tight supply and strong demand mark early season Blueberry volume is increasing in the Southeast. Florida is finishing production on its limited crop, which was down approximately 30–50 percent due to Hurricane Milton and other weather events.
Hurricane Helene and pollination issues have also impacted the first half of Georgia’s blueberry crop. Estimates suggest the crop is down between 30–40 percent in the early part of the season, which is also running late. However, recent rains are helping, and the remainder of the season is expected to see more traditional volume.
“North Carolina will begin harvesting its projected above-average to excellent crop next week.”
Mexico is finishing production, so volume is limited. Additionally, the California blueberry season began about two weeks ago, with peak volume expected over the next three weeks, though the state is slightly behind its original projections.
Demand is strong amid limited supply, so pricing is higher than usual.
Looking ahead, other regions will begin production soon: New Jersey (June 15), Michigan (first week of July), and the Pacific Northwest, including British Columbia (end of June to early July). Peru is expected to begin imports in mid-August.
South Africa: Growers eye global competition Zimbabwe’s blueberry harvest is gaining momentum, and the South African industry is not expecting significant changes compared to last season, when 25,000 tons were exported from South Africa. Last year, around 2,000 tons were lost due to severe frost in July. By mid-June, the Limpopo crop will be in full swing.
The industry is approaching the new season with optimism, but they are aware, an insider says, that they must not take their eyes off Peru: a large crop is expected from the South American country, and “razor-sharp marketing” will be required from South African exporters to secure good prices for their fruit.
While the established blueberry brands remain focused mainly on European and UK retail, newer players are supplying Zimbabwean and South African blueberries to the Middle and Far East. Demand for larger-sized berries in the Far East is increasing—much more so than in Europe, particularly for tube packaging.
On the South African market, which is currently consuming Zimbabwean berries, volumes have been higher so far than in recent years, with prices lower than in 2023 in particular. Blueberries are trading at approximately €9.80 to €10.80 per kilogram at wholesale markets.
A “real place to live” — that’s what Romain Benard aimed to create on his family farm located in Hourtin, in the Médoc region. A place where people can enjoy nature over lunch at a shaded picnic area, pick their own fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, or enjoy family-friendly activities like getting lost in a giant corn maze, playing mini-golf, or riding pedal go-karts.
“The idea is for everyone to find a reason to spend the day at La Benarderie. We wanted to create a place that appeals to children, teenagers, and adults alike,” says Romain Benard.
The farm grows around fifteen products, including apples (with 8 varieties), berries (blackcurrants, blueberries, redcurrants, strawberries, etc.), summer vegetables (peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, zucchinis, etc.), squashes, and of course, the farm’s star product: asparagus.
“We mainly grow white asparagus over 40 hectares, with a potential harvest of around 270 tonnes. I work alongside my parents on the farm, and we have 10 full-time employees. During asparagus harvest, around 40 seasonal workers from Andalusia come to help us. We’ve had the same team for seven years, and we house them at the campsite opposite the farm.”
Romain Benard
Diversifying sales channels to reduce risk
To market the 270 tonnes of harvested asparagus, the Benard family uses three distribution channels:
“We sell 200 tonnes directly — either from the farm shop, where customers can also find our other vegetables as well as grocery and dairy products from neighboring farms, or at the nine markets we attend weekly. Then we sell 70 tonnes to the cooperative. We chose to diversify our sales channels to reduce risk. Direct sales are more profitable and rewarding, but also much more labor-intensive. Selling through a cooperative allows us to move larger volumes, though at a lower value. The two channels complement each other well.”
Higher volumes this year but lower average prices than last season
While the asparagus season began on February 17, the Benard family is wrapping it up this week.
“Unlike the 2024 campaign, we had more volume this year, but it was slightly less well-valued, even though the quality and sizes were good. Overall, though, we’re quite satisfied with this season. The biggest challenge in asparagus production is that volumes are highly weather-dependent. And in tough years, if the small quantities harvested don’t bring good prices, the season can be a disaster. Once again, having multiple distribution channels helps us reduce that risk.”
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.
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
Les producteurs d’asperges dressent un bilan intermédiaire positif
La saison des asperges en Bavière se déroule de manière globalement satisfaisante, malgré des conditions météorologiques changeantes. Les volumes récoltés sont jugés suffisants, la qualité des tiges est excellente selon les producteurs, et les consommateurs peuvent se réjouir de trouver en abondance des asperges régionales, comme l’a souligné l’Association des producteurs d’asperges de Franconie.
Dans le sud de la Bavière, les producteurs se montrent eux aussi satisfaits du déroulement de la saison. Après un démarrage timide dû à un début de printemps froid, la situation s’est nettement améliorée, explique Peter Strobl (en haut sur la photo), directeur de l’Association des producteurs d’asperges du sud de la Bavière. Il se félicite particulièrement de l’équilibre constaté entre rendement et ventes. La sécheresse d’avril n’a pas causé de difficultés majeures à la majorité des exploitations. « Certes, un peu plus de pluie aurait été bienvenue », reconnaît Adel. Mais grâce à leurs racines profondes, les asperges ont parfaitement résisté à cette période sèche. Celles-ci leur fournissent l’énergie nécessaire à la croissance au fil de la saison, ajoute Strobl. Le manque d’eau n’a véritablement affecté que les nouvelles plantations composées de jeunes pousses.
Hesse : un équilibre harmonieux entre l’offre et la demande Les producteurs d’asperges de Hesse tirent également un bilan positif de la saison écoulée. « Grâce à des températures stables, la croissance des asperges a été continue, évitant ainsi les excédents comme les pénuries », a indiqué l’Association des agriculteurs de Hesse à l’agence de presse allemande. Cela a également permis de maintenir une certaine stabilité des prix, tant sur les marchés locaux qu’au sein des circuits de distribution.
Sarre : recul de la culture des asperges En Sarre, la récolte des asperges a débuté fin mars. Toutefois, la culture de ce légume pourrait nettement reculer dans les années à venir. L’Association des agriculteurs estime en effet que cette tendance à la baisse devrait se poursuivre. Selon Welsch, une vaste partie des hausses de coûts a été absorbée directement par les producteurs eux-mêmes. Par ailleurs, la demande pour des produits régionaux et issus de l’agriculture biologique est en net déclin depuis le début de la guerre en Ukraine.
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.”
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