Demand for asparagus coming from Mexico has been light recently, and the amount of product on the market has made for some good deals for savvy buyers. But as Easter approaches, shippers are expecting the market to pick up.
“There is a fair amount of demand, but due to some lack of demand, exporters don't have enough orders on the books and there are some cheap deals putting unnecessary pressure on the market,” said Bram Hulshoff of Desert Farms. As a result, prices have been low. On March 2, prices for a 28-pound crate of bunched green asparagus from Mexico were between $24.75 and $28.75 at crossings through California and Arizona. But Hulshoff thinks those prices will soon go up.
“The expectation is that prices will go up over the course of the week because of the Easter pull coming up,” he said. “Customers are starting to fill up their inventories for Easter promotions.” He also noted that a cold front is expected to hit Caborca, which, though unlikely to bring frost, could lower production by as much as 15 percent, thus tightening supplies and increasing prices.
“This last week seems to be the most competitive week,” said Hulshoff. “After that, pricing is expected to improve over the next two weeks.”
For more information:
Bram Hulshoff
Desert Farms
+1 209 221 4704