Latest News From Asparagus

String of unlucky weather slows Peruvian avocado and asparagus exports
String of unlucky weather slows Peruvian avocado and asparagus exports

A diversified sourcing strategy has helped brokers like Mission Produce sail through a soft Peruvian season for commodities such as avocados, onions and asparagus.

Weather hinders Peruvian asparagus crop yield, but opportunity remains for retailers
Weather hinders Peruvian asparagus crop yield, but opportunity remains for retailers

This year’s Peruvian asparagus crop has faced challenges from weather, but rising consumption trends offer a bright spot for retailers.

Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board highlights marketing efforts for 2023 season
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board highlights marketing efforts for 2023 season

This year the asparagus trade organization created opportunities to connect with consumers through digital, in-store and collaborative marketing campaigns.

Weather woes limit U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus
Weather woes limit U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus

The forecast and anticipated arrivals into the U.S. will continue to be lower than expected for the next two to three months, according to the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association.

Social media campaign touts Michigan asparagus, American-made cookware
Social media campaign touts Michigan asparagus, American-made cookware

American Cookware and the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board are launching “Cooking the American Dream”, a social campaign that celebrates American-crafted cookware with Michigan asparagus.

Summer video series puts spotlight on Michigan asparagus
Summer video series puts spotlight on Michigan asparagus

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board is celebrating what makes asparagus from the Great Lake State so special in a video series that highlights growers and the culinary attributes of the summer vegetable.

Fresh Trends 2023: 1 in 4 consumers report buying asparagus
Fresh Trends 2023: 1 in 4 consumers report buying asparagus

Fueled by rising imports, retail per capita availability for fresh asparagus has grown in recent years, from 1.26 pounds in 2011 to 1.60 pounds in 2019.

Michigan asparagus growers approve continuation referendum
Michigan asparagus growers approve continuation referendum

Established in June 1978, the Michigan Asparagus Industry Development Program was designed to improve the economic position of Michigan asparagus growers by supporting research and market development efforts.

Mexican asparagus output hit by weather setbacks
Mexican asparagus output hit by weather setbacks

Mexico asparagus programs for the months of January to March will take a substantial hit due to prolonged cold weather during the growing season, a Mexican grower group reports.

Crystal Valley Foods debuts new packs at IFPA Foodservice Conference
Crystal Valley Foods debuts new packs at IFPA Foodservice Conference

Miami, Fla.-based Crystal Valley Foods is introducing new foodservice vegetable packs at the International Fresh Produce Association’s July 28-29 Foodservice Conference.

USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for imports of asparagus from Peru
USDA seeks comment on draft pest risk assessment for imports of asparagus from Peru

The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh asparagus under a systems approach from Peru. 

U.S. import value of asparagus increases slightly
U.S. import value of asparagus increases slightly

The value of U.S. asparagus imports rose slightly for the year ending March 2022, trade numbers from the USDA show.

Mexico’s Caborca asparagus region deals with weather woes, limiting supply
Mexico’s Caborca asparagus region deals with weather woes, limiting supply

Mexican asparagus exporters in Caborca, Sonora, say harsh weather in January and February has resulted in substantially lower-than-expected yields so far this season.

Peruvian asparagus importers share news update
Peruvian asparagus importers share news update

Here are business updates from importers of Peruvian asparagus.

Peruvian asparagus importers face transportation issues
Peruvian asparagus importers face transportation issues

Moving fresh asparagus from Peru to the U.S. is increasingly costly and challenging, and shipping the vegetable from importers’ warehouses to customers’ distribution centers in the U.S. isn’t a piece of cake.

Ample supplies of Peruvian asparagus expected
Ample supplies of Peruvian asparagus expected

Supplies of Peruvian asparagus should be plentiful for festive holiday meals, and importers say quality should be good.

PAIA celebrates 20 years and looks to a successful season
PAIA celebrates 20 years and looks to a successful season

Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association (PAIA) members expect a high volume, successful asparagus season.

Progressive Produce begins northern Baja asparagus season
Progressive Produce begins northern Baja asparagus season

As the Central Mexico and Peruvian winter seasons slow down, Progressive Produce will begin opening its fields in Northern Baja.

Southern Specialties sees demand increase for value-added packages
Southern Specialties sees demand increase for value-added packages

Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Southern Specialties has handled Peruvian asparagus since 2001 and has year-round supply to offer customers, said Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development.

Progressive Produce coming into bigger Peruvian asparagus volume
Progressive Produce coming into bigger Peruvian asparagus volume

Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce has a year-round supply of Peruvian asparagus, but the company sees peak supply from July through February.

Peruvian asparagus fills big role for Crystal Valley Foods
Peruvian asparagus fills big role for Crystal Valley Foods

Peruvian asparagus is always reliable for Miami, Fla.-based Crystal Valley Foods.

Peru sees value, volume bump for asparagus in 2020
Peru sees value, volume bump for asparagus in 2020

By volume, U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus in 2020 totaled 93,652 metric tons, up 2.6% compared with 91,266 metric tons in 2019 and up 7% from 2010.

The scoop on Peruvian asparagus
The scoop on Peruvian asparagus

The Packer is seeking input from Peruvian asparagus suppliers for the July 19 Peruvian Asparagus Section.

PortMiami: Asparagus brings in record numbers in 2021
PortMiami: Asparagus brings in record numbers in 2021

Since the new year, asparagus shipments from Peru to PortMiami have continued to grow after last year's record, continuing to increase in 2021.

Michigan asparagus season kicks off
Michigan asparagus season kicks off

Consumers have been eagerly awaiting the 2021 crop of Michigan asparagus and will now be rewarded with the seasonal favorite now at their local stores.

Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board announces new executive director
Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board announces new executive director

The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board has named Jamie Clover Adams as its new executive director, effective May 10.

Myers TikTok video on lost asparagus field garners millions of views
Myers TikTok video on lost asparagus field garners millions of views

With a TikTok video that garnered more than 2.4 million views, 460,000 likes and 30,000 comments in two days, Shay Myers aired his frustrations with farm labor shortages and the H-2A guest worker program.

Peru asparagus exports dip in 2020, but expected to recover in 2021

Peru’s exports of fresh asparagus in 2020 were down 10% due to COVID-19 and internal transportation issues, but an increase is expected in 2021.

Southern Specialties expands Mexican asparagus deal

Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Southern Specialties is ramping up its expanded Mexican asparagus deal, according to a news release.

Peruvian asparagus importers keep retailers informed

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association  encourages retailers to promote Peruvian asparagus throughout December 2020 and into the New Years’ holiday.

Peruvian asparagus importers ready for holiday demand

Fresh Peruvian asparagus arrives in the U.S. year-round, but importers are preparing for the seasonal consumption boosts for the holiday season.

Asparagus company hires South American representative

Asparagus breeder and seed company Walker Brothers Inc., Pittsgrove, N.J., recently added Pedro Cisneros Zevallos in Peru.

Ayco Farms introduce asparagus bag as pandemic changes norms
Ayco Farms introduce asparagus bag as pandemic changes norms

Ayco Farms, Pompano Beach, Fla., has seen a “substantial increase” in demand for bagged asparagus from retail customers who are acting on changes in consumer preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Fresh Trends Data: Asparagus

More consumers are putting asparagus in their carts. The vegetable was the No. 2 item that shoppers said they tried in the past year that they hadn’t eaten previously.

Peruvian asparagus headed for peak supply and promotion chances
Peruvian asparagus headed for peak supply and promotion chances

U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus arrive year-round, but peak supplies are expected beginning in September and continuing through the balance of the year.

Robinson Fresh adds new growers
Robinson Fresh adds new growers

Robinson Fresh has added five new Peruvian growers this year, said Alan Guttmann, general manager of global vegetable sourcing for the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based company.

Peru shows long-term growth as supplier of asparagus to U.S. market
Peru shows long-term growth as supplier of asparagus to U.S. market

U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus have risen from 149.6 million pounds in 2000 to 556.6 million pounds in 2019.

Farm Direct Supply adds Mason Hamilton in sales

Asparagus marketer Farm Direct Supply, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has hired Mason Hamilton as senior sales and account executive.

Farm Direct Supply has new logo, website

Asparagus company Farm Direct Supply has a new logo and website, the first step in a rebranding for the company.

Cold, rainy weather forces delays on Michigan’s crops
Cold, rainy weather forces delays on Michigan’s crops

A lingering cold and rainy season had grower-shippers in Michigan waiting a little longer than normal this year to get their summer deals going.

COVID-19 outbreak affects Ontario asparagus harvest
COVID-19 outbreak affects Ontario asparagus harvest

After 164 migrant workers at an Ontario asparagus farm tested positive for COVID-19 about halfway through harvest season, farm leaders worked with the local health department to contain the spread.

New Jersey crops even out after warm, cool spells
New Jersey crops even out after warm, cool spells

With the way the crops in New Jersey are going, you would hardly know there’s a pandemic.

Andrew Engles joins Progressive as sales manager

Progressive Produce, Los Angeles, has hired Andrew Engles as sales manager in the asparagus and wet vegetable division.

Applewood Fresh starts Michigan asparagus season

Applewood Fresh’s growers will be starting Michigan asparagus shipments the week of May 25.

Baja Son Growers plans to increase asparagus, green onion volumes

Baja Son Growers, Salinas, will have expanded supplies of asparagus from Central Mexico this summer.

A rocky road to stability as pandemic stretches on
A rocky road to stability as pandemic stretches on

The road to the new normal as the COVID-19 crisis continues is a rocky one for many in the fresh produce industry.

Pervian asparagus imports to remain steady 
Pervian asparagus imports to remain steady 

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association expects summer volume to remain consistent as the crop approaches peak shipments in August and September.

USDA plans to buy $105 million in surplus produce
USDA plans to buy $105 million in surplus produce

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning on buying $470 million in surplus food, including $105 million worth of produce, as growers cope with disrupted supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic.

JMB’s new website arrives with start of summer asparagus season

Jacobs, Malcomb & Burtt (JMB), San Ramon, Calif., has a new website as it prepares for the start of its summer asparagus program.

Some Growers Plow Under Fields As Fruit, Vegetable Demand Disappears
Some Growers Plow Under Fields As Fruit, Vegetable Demand Disappears

From fresh produce being plowed under to unharvested crops sitting untouched in fields, fruit and vegetable growers are the latest agriculture sector facing fallout from COVID-19.