The first English asparagus to reach the UK wholesale markets in 2006 was received by Gilgrove in New Covent Garden last Thursday - the earliest first cut on record.
Supplied by Wye Valley Growers through Homegrown Produce, the first box of gras heralds the hugely popular English season in the markets, said Gilgrove director Damian Fowler.
“They are trying to extend their season - this is one month earlier than last year and the first time that the first cut has been made before the end of March,” he claimed.
“The cold weather has hampered production and there will not be large quantities coming through for a while.”
The early trickle of product will be used to stoke interest in the new season though. “Home-grown asparagus is very, very popular - particularly among the chefs that buy from the Garden,” said Fowler. “We’ve had a solid winter, with Peruvian, Mexican and US product proving very consistent, and no real fluctuations.
“Prices have held up well, and with Spanish starting [last] week as well, that will continue for the beginning of the English season.”
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