Asparagus consumption and demand in the US is set to remain strong and growing during 2013 as more consumers add the vegetable to their shopping baskets.
According to the Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association (PAIA), per capita consumption has remained consistent and increasing since 2003 with a spike commencing in 2010.
PAIA claims that US shoppers are adding asparagus to their baskets more often than in the past, making asparagus the number three new item that shoppers claim they are now buying.
The findings were revealed in PAIA’s 2013/14 Category Management Plan Outline for fresh Peruvian asparagus, which includes statistics relating to market summaries, trends, nutritional facts and consumer positioning.
Fresh asparagus continues to be a high volume import item in the US, PAIA said, with over 413m lbs pounds imported and consumed annually, according to figures from the US Department of Commerce.
Peru remains to be a principal supplier to the market, representing over 49 per cent of the total US import sales value.
“We promote the Category Management Plan Outline for fresh Peruvian asparagus with the goal of providing statistics, trends and strategies that will equip retailers and the industry at large to sell more asparagus,” noted PAIA coordinator, Priscilla Lleras.
“The outline contains the necessary summary information of the health benefits, value and convenience of fresh Peruvian asparagus.”
In 2013 PAIA plans to focus even greater efforts on spreading the positive message about Peruvian asparagus to industry trade press, supermarkets and consumers by promoting the benefits of fresh asparagus through articles, advertisements, direct-communication, and trade show participation.
