This year's European asparagus season is expected to begin later than normal, as a result of cold weather in Morocco, Spain and Greece, according to German analyst ZMP.
The first supplies of Moroccan asparagus reportedly began to arrive in the German market towards the end of February, two weeks later than in 2007, with volumes from Spain and Greece set to reach stores in mid-March.
ZMP revealed that Germany's own asparagus output last year remained roughly at the same level seen in 2007, with approximately 18,400ha in production and above-average yields totalling 92,650 tonnes – just 1,550 tonnes below the previous year's record total.
Domestic productivity has also risen, the group said, from four tonnes/ha in 2002 to five tonnes/ha last season.
As a result, the German market for imported asparagus has become increasingly crowded. Last year, import volumes were below 30,000 tonnes, compared with around 40,000 tonnes in 2002.
» ZMP
