Start of the asparagus season in Rhineland

Sun and mild temperatures are promoting the growth and harvest of the asparagus. The famous and coveted white stalks are currently only available in small amounts, the Provinzialverband Rheinischer Obst- und Gemüsebauern from Bonn reports. Current harvests are mostly limited to greenhouses and under plastic. Franz Peter Allofs, Chairman of the Landesfachgruppe Spargel des rheinischen Provinzial Verbandes and Spargelbaugenossenschaft Walbeck und Umgegend eG confirms: “Around ten days ago we started the harvest of the first asparagus plants from the heated glasshouses. Slowly, you realize and notice that we are getting bigger quantities.”

Foto by Sabine Weis

First field asparagus in early April
“Last week we cut a few stalks from our earth tunnel systems”, Allofs reports, “This week we are expecting the first bigger quantities.” The asparagus acreage in the Rhineland is round about 1.000 hectares. Due to that, the region is one of the most important vegetable growers in Germany. Asparagus is now grown in almost every region of the Rhineland. The only exception are the hills: “Overall we have a bit more asparagus. The acreage has increased about 300 hectares.” Allofs expects the first real outdoor asparagus at the beginning of April: “The ground is still cold. I don’t think, that it will be as fast as last year. Even in the hothouses we are nine to ten days later this year. But 2014 was a very early year.”

Harvest volumes depending on the weather
Depending on the weather within the next weeks, the asparagus volumes could increase noticeably. “If we have a warm period at the end of April or beginning of May, the market will be flooded with asparagus”, Allofs explains, “The asparagus volumes vary depending on the temperatures. If we have low temperatures we have small amounts. With high temperatures the asparagus spring up like mushrooms.” German asparagus is normally cut from mid-March to the 24. June. “The current asparagus price will be around 16 to 17 Euros for one kilo of the best quality”, Franz Peter Allofs reports.

Franz Peter Allofs
Der Spargelhof Allofs
Broecksteg 5, 47608 Geldern Walbeck
Tel. +49 (0)2831 3382
info@spargelhof-allofs.de
www.spargelhof-allofs.de