Last year, the area of agricultural land that was used for growing asparagus in the Netherlands was 3 807 hectares. This increase of 12 hectares is hardly more than 2016. Actual asparagus is harvested from about 87% of the acreage. The remaining land was planted with non-bearing asparagus plants.
The area of harvested asparagus has grown over the last ten years. It has expanded by 61%, from 2 065 hectares (2007) to 3 322 hectares (2017). At the same time, yields increased by almost 40%, from 15 000 tonnes to 20 800 tonnes.
Total area of asparagus in The Netherlands
Asparagus is primarily grown in Limburg and Noord-Brabant
Since 2007 the total acreage of asparagus in the Netherlands has increased by 60%. Then, it was 2 383 hectares. Last year it was 3 807 hectares. The province of Limburg accounted for 62% of the Dutch asparagus acreage previous year. The province of Noord-Brabant's share was 33%. Most of this asparagus is planted in North Limburg and the southeastern region of Noord-Brabant.
In Noord-Brabant, the asparagus acreage shrunk by 8 hectares in 2017 as compared to the previous year. In the same period, the acreage in Limburg grew by 24 hectares. Asparagus is also cultivated in the other Dutch provinces. However, no more than 190 hectares (5%) is used.
Asparagus area in 2017
The Dutch regions of Peel en Maas, and Leudal have the largest acreage of asparagus within their municipal boundaries. They have 753 hectares and 395 hectares, respectively. In 2007 this honour went to Leudal, with 265 hectares, and Helden with 263 hectares.
Asparagus area in Europe in 2016
Asparagus is popular in Germany
Within the European Union, Germany, with 22 000 hectares, harvested the largest area of asparagus in 2016. They were followed by Spain with more than 12 000 hectares. The Netherlands was in fifth place with a harvested acreage of about 3 000 hectares.
When to comes to producing this 'white gold', the Netherlands also takes fifth position. They had a yield of about 19 000 tonnes in 2016. Germany takes the lead in Europe with 120 000 tonnes of asparagus produced. Asparagus is the most-grown vegetable in Germany. Onions take second place. In the Netherlands, onions are, by far, the most cultivated vegetable.
Source: CBS