Andalusia's green asparagus campaign will suffer delays of over two weeks due to intense rains and low temperatures. These delays arrive in a time of great demand from European markets, eager to import Spanish asparagus.
Seville is usually the first to commercialise asparagus, however, "we have none so far," says Benito Martín, Manager of COSAFRA, based in Huétor-Tájar, one of Spain's main asparagus producing areas.
"Unlike other regions, Seville is currently experiencing mid-winter temperatures which stop the plant's growth and development," he explains.
Although the harvest will begin in late March, most of the season's production is expected from late April.
Antonio Alonso, Manager of Frupal, has been receiving calls from clients for three weeks without being able to provide the desired product. "Rains have always been problematic in Seville and they have caused many asparagus producers to lose trust in this product."
Antequera, in the Spanish province of Malaga, is one of the few areas with some room for manoeuvre. "Our first quality asparagus are currently arriving, but rains will have the last word," points out Juan Antonio Romero, Manager of Horticultores El Torcal.
