Asparagus farmers in Lower Austria will close the season a week early

Unusually high temperatures in April and sufficient soil moisture caused a delayed but still relatively early harvest in 2018. After a strong start, prices for both the Solo Kl. I as well as the Klassik Kl. I, hit rock bottom. Supply from at home and from neighbours such as Poland, Hungary and Italy was much too large.

The LEH and various marketers acted immediately. Despite high praise of consumers and an excellent quality of the products, demand could not absorb the supply. Due to increased domestic presence, imports were losing in importance throughout the month of May.

In week 18, price levels for asparagus solo Kl. I white/purple/green were already -7%. One week later they were 14% below previous year's prices. At the end of May, the large volumes were more or less accommodated. The prices for the trading classes Solo and Klassik were more in line with last year's prices. According to surveys of the Chamber of Agriculture, the average prices in KW 22 for asparagus of all colours were €5.60 /kg for Solo Kl. I and €5.00 /kg for Klassik Kl. I.

Despite good sales, there is hardly any movement in the acreage of this labour-intensive culture. The minimal growth is partly due to the many work hours (900-1,200 man-hours/ha) and related wages and ancillary labour expenses.

Asparagus (white/green/purple) in 2017 had a share of 813 ha, or 4.5% of total Austrian vegetable production. In 2018 it will be remain at some 800 ha.

The cultivation areas in Lower Austria (Marchfeld, Tullnerfeld, Waldviertel) with 580 ha and Upper Austria (above Eferding) with 120 ha, make up 87% of the nationwide production areas.

The yield per hectare has decreased a little bit over the last few years. White asparagus dropped with around 4.5%, green asparagus around 17.8%. A wet spring like that of 2015, or the late frosts of 2016 can decrease the yields significantly, especially in unprotected cultivation (green asparagus). With 3,000 tons/year production volume, Austria can supply its own market for about 50%. While the average yield in 2014 was 4.1 tons/ha, it was 3.7 tons/ha last year.

"Cherries red - asparagus dead"; it is a well-known saying. Traditionally, from 24 June (Johannistag) no more asparagus are harvested. But now things are somewhat different. The Lower Austrian asparagus farmers will complete the season at least one week earlier due to the weather.

Source: AMA