U.S. imports of Peruvian asparagus have risen from 149.6 million pounds in 2000 to 556.6 million pounds in 2019.
The dramatic rise over the past two decades has come at a time of growth of asparagus imports from Mexico as well, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics.
Peru accounted for 36% of all U.S. imports of asparagus in 2019, about the same as 2000, according to USDA data. Mexico accounted for 62% of asparagus imports in 2019, up slightly from 59% in 2000. Over the past two decades, the biggest import share for Peruvian asparagus was 58% in 2007, while the biggest market for Mexico was 62% in 2019.
Helping retailers understand sales and merchandising trends, the Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association has released its 2019-20 Fresh Asparagus Statistics, Trends and Demographics Report.
“The Fresh Asparagus report is essential information for retailers to increase their sales of fresh asparagus for today and the remainder of the year,” Priscilla Lleras-Bush, coordinator of the association, said in a news release.
The report is available for a charge at the group’s website.
“Peru is a leading import source for fresh market asparagus in the United States,” Walter Yager, CEO of Florida-based Alpine Fresh and co-chairman of PAIA, said in the release.
“U.S. retailers have recognized the advantages of stocking Peruvian asparagus on their shelves which have resulted in maintaining fresh asparagus sales year round.”
PAIA importers work with their customers in an effort to strategically promote the nutritional benefits, ease of preparation and convenience of fresh asparagus, Jay Rodriguez, CEO of Miami-based Crystal Valley Foods, said in the release.
“The 2019/2020 report provides buying trends and key demographic information which point retailers to the dedicated buying consumers of fresh asparagus. Retailers can be confident to promote fresh asparagus year-round to increase sales.”
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