According to Scotiabank, Peru is the world's largest exporter of fresh asparagus with 40 percent of the total exports in 2013, followed by Mexico with a 28% share.
Erika Manchego, senior analyst of the department of economic studies at Scotiabank, said that Peru was the main exporter of fresh asparagus to the United States until 2010. Currently, she stated, Mexico leads fresh asparagus shipments to the United States with 51 percent of the total, followed by Peru with 48 percent.
Peruvian fresh asparagus exports amounted to $213 million dollars during the first half of 2014, 13 percent less than in the first half of 2013.
"The drop in exports of fresh asparagus during the first half of 2014 is due to the 17% drop in the average export price, which is currently $2.49 per kilogram while in 2013 it was $2.94 dollars," she noted.
"While we expect there will be a recovery in the price of fresh asparagus in the second half of the year because of the reduced presence of Mexican asparagus, it is likely that the price will still be lower than last year," predicted Manchego.
She also said that the asparagus production was being temporarily affected by the age of the plantations.
Source: andina.com.pe