“If Easter had been two weeks earlier, asparagus prices would’ve looked very differently”

The large supply of heated cultivation ensured dirt-cheap asparagus at the start of the season. “That had actually never happened before, and was disappointing. In recent years, the early cultivation had actually been very good,” asparagus grower Paul Heger from the company Wipa in Velden, the Netherlands, reminisces. “But the good weather ensured large productions, and the late Easter also definitely had its influence.”

“Only when restaurants and larger supermarkets start picking up asparagus, will the asparagus sales get going. Supply came too early this year. If Easter had been two weeks earlier, prices would’ve looked very differently,” the grower continues. “Fortunately, the week before Easter was very busy for asparagus sales. Prices are recovering now because of the colder weather. Last week, prices for double A-asparagus were around 4.50 euro, this morning, prices for double-A reached 6 euro.”

Paul has an area of 0.6 hectares of asparagus near his shop, which produces 8,000 kilograms of asparagus, and besides, he also grows on 20 hectares in greenhouses and on outdoor fields in Limburg, from which he sells directly to wholesalers in the Randstad. In addition to a farmer’s shop in Lijnden (near Badhoevendorp), he also opened a shop in Zoetermeer on Saturday. “We brought the first asparagus from the farm, which we sell during the season. That’s going fantastically, Easter sales were better than ever. We are facing the coming weeks feeling positive. A bit of sunshine is always welcome, because that always boosts asparagus sales.”

For more information:
Paul Heger
Wipa
Rijksweg 67
5941 AB Velden
Tel: +31 (0)77 472 36 20
wipa.velden@home.nl