New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) has welcomed its first arrivals of UK asparagus this year.
The first batch of both green and white asparagus, sourced from Cobrey Farms in Ross-on-Wye, was available at wholesaler Gilgrove Ltd, part of the C&C Group, on Wednesday.
Gilgrove Ltd sold more than a third of its 25 cases, which contain 12x250g bundles of Class I product, and expects the spears to be snapped up once word gets round.
Director Damian Fowler said: “We have sold a small quantity today, but our customers - namely catering suppliers - need a few days to adjust to the new season. Everyone is shocked, as the crop is very early. We believe we are the first in the wholesale trade to sell UK asparagus this year.
“The first of the asparagus crop is always a good time of year for us. English asparagus has a certain romance about it, and people are pleased to see it in the wholesale market,” he added.
Marketed by Flamingo UK, the Wye Valley Asparagus was also the first into the wholesale market last year, and was grown under cover. Gilgrove Ltd will receive a delivery of around two to three cases of asparagus a week until the season really kicks off at the end of April, when it will be receiving up to 80 cases a day, said Fowler.
“The quality of the first batch of asparagus is fair, for such early cuttings,” he explained. “But as the weather improves, so will the quality, and we will source a higher volume.
“We are looking forward to good volumes and good quality throughout the season, and there is no reason why there shouldn’t be. Cobrey Farms is a very innovative and accomplished grower.”
The first Cornish asparagus crop has also become available today. Cornish grower Rowe Farming has produced the crop through a system of underground heating and plastic protection.
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