More U.S. consumers seem to be eating asparagus these days, and the path to their plate depends heavily on Peru.
Almost all of the fresh asparagus in the U.S. is imported. In 2024, for example, the U.S. imported 515.4 million pounds of asparagus, valued at $646.7 million. Of that, almost 155 million pounds (30%) came from Peru.
Though Mexico claims the title of the largest exporter of asparagus to the U.S. — representing roughly two-thirds of U.S. asparagus imports — Peru’s unique location and climate gives it an interesting asparagus superpower over the competition.
“Peru is an important source of both green and white fresh asparagus because it provides consistent volume of high-quality product almost year-round,” says Carlos Solf, vice president of purchasing for Southern Specialties, a Pompano Beach, Fla.-based grower, importer, processor and shipper that deals in Peruvian asparagus.
The majority of Mexican imports happen from January to May, according to data from the International Fresh Produce Association.
“As for Peru, it also has a constant presence in the market, which only reduces when Mexico reaches its peak production,” the group noted in a late 2024 report. It also pointed out that Michigan, the largest domestic producer of asparagus, has a short season from May to June.
“Simply put, Peru supplies the U.S. consumer with quality asparagus during a time that U.S. local is not in production,” says Priscilla Lleras, executive director of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association (PAIA).
“Imports enable year-round availability of fresh asparagus for U.S. consumers,” PAIA co-Chairman Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcolm & Burtt said in the group’s announcement of its 2025-2026 trends report. “Without trade, the U.S. would struggle to meet the demand for asparagus throughout the year.”
Citing USDA data, Lleras explains that imports through May of this year are up 33% compared to the same time last year.
“We expect those numbers to continue through the third and fourth quarters of 2025,” she adds.
Peruvian Production
Since the U.S. consumes the lion’s share of Peru’s asparagus crop — 88% in 2024, for example — it’s little surprise that increased production lies behind increased import volumes.
“Peruvian asparagus production has seen a significant year-over-year increase of approximately 25% to 30%,” says Katiana Valdes, marketing director of Miami, Fla.-based grower-importer Crystal Valley Foods. These production increases belie weather-related difficulties in past years, however.
“Asparagus volumes in both 2023 and 2024 were negatively impacted by weather-related phenomena such as La Niña and El Niño. These climate events disrupted growing conditions, leading to irregular crops and reduced production levels,” Valdes says.
According to the Peruvian Institute of Asparagus and Vegetables (translated via Google), La Libertad region in the northern part of the country and the Ica region in the south are Peru’s main asparagus production areas.
Both these areas, as well as the country at large, sit along the western coast of South America. In spring of 2023, a strong El Niño hit the area, causing extreme rainfall and subsequent flooding. This was followed last year by a weak La Niña, which brought cooler-than-usual springtime temperatures and irregular early-season rainfall in the La Libertad area. None of this was good for weather-sensitive asparagus crops.
Though Peru’s asparagus growing regions have seen better weather in 2025, there are still potential production concerns on the horizon.
According to Fresh Fruit, a Peruvian produce export data company, several economic factors — including value not keeping pace with production, rising production costs, growing competition for U.S. asparagus market share (including domestic organic production) — could lead to Peruvian asparagus growers to switch crops. The group specifically cites blueberries being an attractive alternative to Ica valley growers, for example.
Solf noted that Southern Specialties has recently seen some demand softness in imports from Peru. Both Canadian and Michigan production have continued a couple weeks longer than usual, he explains as potential contributor.
Tariff Troubles
Weather and production concerns aren’t the only pressures on Peruvian asparagus.
According to The Packer’s Fresh Trends 2025 survey, there is a distinct income-based trend among respondents reporting asparagus purchases. While overall, 36% of respondents said they bought asparagus in the prior year, almost half (48%) of respondents in the highest income bracket, with an annual household income of over $100,000, reported asparagus purchases. This compares to respondents in the lowest household income bracket (under $25,000), only 18% of whom reported asparagus purchases.
This price sensitivity could be a problem in the face of tariffs, given the important role imports of asparagus from Peru has on the availability to the U.S. consumer.
“There are no alternatives to imports for asparagus consumption during most of the year,” Solf says. “Ultimately, the consumer will be paying more for asparagus during the course of year. Tariffs present additional costs across the board for importers, distributors, retailers and consumers.”
Despite concerns about tariffs and ongoing trade dynamics, Lleras says the import flow of Peruvian asparagus currently remains robust.
“The sector’s resilience can be attributed to its strong economic contributions, which have helped offset potential disruptions,” she says. “Peruvian asparagus imports provide significant economic benefits to the United States in terms of job creation, revenues and supply chain support.”
Lleras notes that Peruvian asparagus contributed $264 million in import revenue in 2024. PAIA also highlights that imported Peruvian asparagus contributes “directly or indirectly to about 7,000+ jobs across the U.S. commercial supply chain, including roles in transportation, distribution, and retail.”
“This nutritious vegetable, coupled with established supply chains and collaborative trade relationships, ensures that Peruvian asparagus continues to reach American consumers while supporting jobs and generating substantial revenue,” Lleras adds. “This stability highlights the adaptability of both Peruvian exporters and U.S. importers in navigating international trade challenges.”
U.S. Asparagus Consumption
Wherever it comes from, U.S. consumers have a taste for asparagus.
According to Fresh Trends 2025, just over a third of respondents reported buying fresh asparagus in the past 12 months. This is steady with the 2024 report and up from 25.5% in the 2023 report, suggesting growing consumer interest in asparagus.
Additionally, when asked what new produce items they bought that they had not bought in prior years, 21% of Fresh Trends 2025 respondents answered “asparagus.”
“U.S. consumption has been steadily increasing over the past 15 years, reflecting strong and consistent demand for this commodity,” says Valdes of Crystal Valley Foods. “While it’s difficult to predict exactly how the market will evolve in the coming years, current trends and consumer preferences give us reason to remain optimistic about its future potential.”
On the topic of growing U.S. consumer demand, Lleras says “once consumers research or become informed on the health benefits of fresh asparagus, this will dramatically increase demand.”
According to the Washington Asparagus Commission, fresh asparagus is fat- and cholesterol-free, high in fiber and a good source of folate, glutathione, vitamin A and vitamin C. Michigan Asparagus similarly notes that a 4-ounce serving contains half the recommended daily value of vitamin K, an essential vitamin for blood clotting, bone health and regulating blood calcium levels.
“As an industry, we need to broadcast the health benefits from the tallest mountains everywhere,” Lleras says.
