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.

In the first three months of the year, PortMiami has processed a record number of pounds of asparagus (14,149,601 lbs.). Miami-Dade County is a new gateway for asparagus from Peru to Florida, as well as for millions of consumers across the USA and Canada.

Asparagus Port Record

During 2020, PortMiami imported 148,783,407 lbs. of asparagus shattering the previous year’s record of 112,921,677 lbs.
Phenomenal growth over the years

PortMiami is the #1 maritime port of entry for asparagus in the entire United States. Over the years, the number of asparagus has increased exponentially: 

• 2017 -26,231,936 lbs. 
• 2018-  69,991,600 lbs., up 167% over the previous year.
• 2019- 112,921,677 lbs. up 67% over the previous year. 
•  2020- 148,783,407 lbs. increasing 32% over 2019.

So far this calendar year, PortMiami has imported 14,149,601 lbs. in just the first three months alone, surpassing those same 3 months in 2020 by 13% or 1,589,480 lbs.

The significant increases in asparagus imports via ocean transportation to Miami demonstrate that importers consider PortMiami as their preferred gateway.

The reason that Miami-Dade County attracts asparagus from Peru is due to the fact that we have an abundance of cold storage warehouses and some of the most experienced fumigation providers in the industry.

Peru contributes the largest share of asparagus that enters into PortMiami. The majority of asparagus varieties imported from Peru to PortMiami are Green asparagus. Demand for Imports from Peru have been substantial this year. A major factor for Peruvian growers is that the climate allows two full crops of asparagus a year, providing plenty of vegetables to Miami-Dade County.

As the quantity of Peruvian asparagus grows we are confident PortMiami will continue to be the leader in asparagus imports serving Miami-Dade County’s grocery stores, fine restaurants, and households across the U.S. 

According to Seaboard Marine, Much of the asparagus comes out of the western coast of Peru and can be produced for the majority of the year due to special climatic conditions. These exceptional growing conditions make it possible to keep the asparagus industry active over the year and to export fresh produce at times when other countries cannot do so. 

Empty refrigerated containers are sent via truck to various asparagus packing houses in the Western coastal regions of Peru where they are washed, classified, boxed, and put in refrigerated containers.

According to Max Rodriguez, Director of Peru Trade Office, Miami. (PROMPERU),  “Miami, despite the Covid19 crisis, asparagus exports continued to grow in 2020 and will continue to grow in 2021, consolidating Peru as the main supplier of asparagus in Florida and the second supplier in the United States.” 

Recently Seaboard has added an express service between Peru and PortMiami that has helped create an exponential increase in asparagus imports, as the express route is only 9 days from Callao, 7 days from Paita and 6 days from Guayaquil.