A steady volume of Peruvian asparagus coming to the U.S. is helping meet demand now, and more supply is around the corner.
The USDA reported that Peruvian asparagus accounted for 37% of the total supply in the U.S. during the week of July 7-13. Other suppliers to the U.S. market in mid-July included Mexico, which accounted for 48% of the total supply, and Canada, which accounted for 4% of the total supply.
“Currently, there is steady asparagus volume coming from Peru however it is less than the volumes we normally expect around this time of the year,” said Katiana Valdes, marketing director of Crystal Valley Foods, Miami. “Nonetheless, with current volume, we are able to meet demand in the U.S. market.”
La Niña, characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, has led to colder-than-normal temperatures in growing regions, contributing to a lower supply of Peruvian asparagus as compared to previous years, she said.
“The extreme temperature in Peru is mostly affecting our larger asparagus sizes,” Valdes said.
To compensate for decreased supply out of Peru and cover customers’ demands, Crystal Valley Foods is sourcing more from Mexico, she said.
Rising supply
Looking ahead, Valdes said peak supply from Peru is typically from about mid-September through November.
“We source from Peru 52 weeks per year, so we have a consistent supply from the region year-round,” she said.
Peru is a valuable sourcing option for asparagus for several key reasons, she said. Primarily, Peru’s diverse climate, optimal growing conditions and labor availability allow for year-round cultivation of asparagus, ensuring a consistent and steady supply of fresh product. Also important, Valdes said asparagus is grown in both the north and south in Peru, allowing for two different harvest peaks.
Crystal Valley Foods receives most of its Peruvian asparagus imports at Miami International Airport (when asparagus is flown in), as well as the port of Miami.
“We have a good mix of asparagus customers from both the foodservice and retail channels,” Valdes said. “We understand both sectors very well and we have a variety of asparagus sizes, packs and value-added bags in order to meet the changing and growing needs of all of our customers.”
Category growth
In June, the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association released its 2023-24 “Fresh Asparagus Category Trends, Statistics and Demographics” report.
“PAIA promotes the use of this category report to aid in providing U.S. retailers with essential statistics and customized demographics that will enable them to sell fresh asparagus,” Priscilla Lleras, PAIA executive director, said in a news release.
The report reveals that 37% of U.S. consumers purchased asparagus in the past 12 months, an 11% increase from the prior year.
“This is the perfect opportunity for retailers to promote fresh asparagus year-round with various types of stock-keeping units, including valued-added products, that will result in year-round sales for the retailer and the commodity,” PAIA co-Chairman Craig Rolandelli of Jacobs Malcom & Burtt said in the release.
The USDA reports that Peru experienced a 5% increase in year-over-year import value in the U.S. market.
“The weather phenomena of 2023 resulted in a year like no other, with Cyclone Yako leaving northern Peru [devastated] and exports of fresh asparagus very challenging,” PAIA co-chairman Carlos Solf of Southern Specialties said in the release. “Yet, Peru demonstrated resilience and proved profitable to the U.S. in import values.”
The association says it will focus even greater efforts in 2024 on spreading valuable information about fresh asparagus to industry trade press, retailers and foodservice.
The 2023-24 “Fresh Asparagus Category Trends, Statistics and Demographics” report is available on the PAIA website.
