Early asparagus season in France
The season began mid-February in the South East and South West and the last fortnight has allowed each production area (S.W., S.E. and Val de Loire) to get back on track with ridging- the final stage before producing white asparagus.
Volume is expected to rise. By the middle of week 13 volume had already reached 35 tonnes a day in the S.W. and 23 tonnes a day in the PACA region; the first volumes from the Val de Loire are expected over week 14.
The Collective d'Asperge reports that production acreage is on a slight rise compared to 2013 (+2%). The 4,300 ton target should be achieved. Plantation forecasts for 2014 have increased (keeping in mind that an asparagus plantation has a 10 year life-span). To keep up with the volume produced every year, producers must replant about 10% of surface area annually! This year the Collective intends to replant 20% - which shows their desire to develop production.