Spalding-based Hargeaves Plants has announced plans to supply purple asparagus to the Dutch market.
Hargreaves is European agent for New Zealand asparagus breeder Aspara Pacific and is propagating the variety Pacific Purple from seed to crown in collaboration with Van den Elzen of Erp.
The crowns will be supplied exclusively to the Greenery and extensive trial quantities are planned to enable the Greenery to carry out sampling activity with Dutch multiple retailers.
Asparagus product manager Jamie Petchell said: “The top-end UK supermarkets and growers are very impressed with the expansion potential of purple asparagus. To link up with Van den Elzen, a collaborating nursery, and facilitate the Greenery members to grow this profitable crop for their customers is perfect. Based on our earlier experience it should succeed.”
Trials and commercial production in the UK have shown that Pacific Purple can produce good yields of high-quality spears. It can maintain its colour after cooking far better than other varieties tested and its high sugar levels make it an attractive addition as a raw ingredient in fresh salads, according to Hargreaves Plants.
“We see an excellent niche opportunity for our members growing asparagus to benefit from this relatively high mark-up crop,” said Gerard van Loon, public relations manager for the Greenery.
“We expect to have a wide distribution amongst Dutch retailers and feel confident of consumer uptake.”
Using the same formula, Hargreaves Plants said it aims to develop more trials in Holland with a range of green varieties.
