Asparagus
This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.
The Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board has named Jamie Clover Adams as its new executive director, effective May 10.
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.
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.
Since the new year, asparagus shipments from Peru to PortMiami have continued to grow after last year’s record, continuing to increase in 2021.
The Packer is seeking input from Peruvian asparagus suppliers for the July 19 Peruvian Asparagus Section.
Pompano Beach, Fla.-based Southern Specialties is ramping up its expanded Mexican asparagus deal, according to a news release.
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.
Peruvian asparagus is always reliable for Miami, Fla.-based Crystal Valley Foods.
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.
Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce has a year-round supply of Peruvian asparagus, but the company sees peak supply from July through February.
As the Central Mexico and Peruvian winter seasons slow down, Progressive Produce will begin opening its fields in Northern Baja.
Peruvian Asparagus Importer’s Association (PAIA) members expect a high volume, successful asparagus season.
Here are business updates from importers of Peruvian asparagus.
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.
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.
Supplies of Peruvian asparagus should be plentiful for festive holiday meals, and importers say quality should be good.
The USDA has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh asparagus under a systems approach from Peru.
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.
The value of U.S. asparagus imports rose slightly for the year ending March 2022, trade numbers from the USDA show.
Miami, Fla.-based Crystal Valley Foods is introducing new foodservice vegetable packs at the International Fresh Produce Association’s July 28-29 Foodservice Conference.
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.
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.
Asparagus marketers have seen increasing interest in value-added packages.
The warehouse and distribution center of Miami-based Crystal Valley Foods has earned organic handler certification.
Five Crowns Marketing, Brawley, Calif., had been growing asparagus on 3,500 acres in the Imperial Valley.
Michigan asparagus season has started, following a cool spring that gave growers some extra time to prepare fields.
The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association has completed its Fresh Asparagus Category Statistics and Trends document.
Importers report good volume and quality for Peruvian asparagus, with interest expected to tick up as production in numerous other regions finishes up.
The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association will be well-represented at the Produce Marketing Association’s Oct. 18-20 Fresh Summit in Orlando, Fla.