"The start of the season (at mid-April) was slightly later this year than last year, and so there was no real Easter business. Demand from consumers was very good in the first few weeks, but eased somewhat with the hot temperatures and the end of the season. In addition to the large, almost unmanageable harvests, companies had to deal with negative price developments. The difficulty of getting enough and competent seasonal workers further exacerbated the situation," notes Simon Schumacher, CEO of the Association of Southern German Asparagus and Strawberry Growers e.V. (VSSE).
All across Germany: Large amounts of asparagus formed THE challenge, this season
The summer temperatures brought the harvest time of the early and late asparagus varieties near to each other. "The large volumes were a challenge this season. For many asparagus farms, the quantities harvested were hard to cope with. Some companies have ended and are ending the harvest ahead of schedule," says dr. Ludger Aldenhoff, Asparagus Consultant in Southern Germany. In northern and eastern Germany, asparagus producers also had to struggle with extreme drought.
Large supply leads to sobering prices
According to the Agrarmarkt Informationsgesellschaft mbH (AMI), promotions caused the average consumer prices to drop rapidly and sharply compared to the previous two years. The food retail trade (LEH) sometimes lowered prices at a daily rhythm. The average consumer prices slid to €5.48 euros/kg, the lowest in years. The demand for asparagus was high among consumers. "We had three weeks of high sales in May, meaning high volumes but also a high demand. Overall, I think there was more asparagus sold this season than in the previous year," said Michael Koch of the Agricultural Market Information Society (AMI).
Seasonal workers: Possible return of the 50-day or 2-month scheme
in 2019 puts strain on seasonal workers
"The season was very stressful, with heavy burdens for the employees. Fewer workers have come over, so there was a shortage of manpower. In some cases, areas could not even be harvested at all," explains Jürgen Schulze, Asparagus Consultant in East Germany.
According to a VSSE survey of asparagus and strawberry producers, around 50 percent of respondents said that the availability of seasonal harvest workers had deteriorated significantly, and 40 percent said the situation had worsened. "Certainly it is getting harder and harder to find suitable staff. This season in North Rhine-Westphalia, the fact that seasonal workers left earlier than contractually agreed was not a problem as the harvest on some fields ended earlier. However, I fear the return of the 50-day or 2-month regulations in 2019, since we are having more than enough problems with the current shortage of harvest workers as it is," says Ralf Große Gruebig, asparagus consultant at the Chamber of Agriculture in North Rhine -Westphalia.
The VSSE has been working on this issue for years. In order not to further exacerbate the situation, they advocate keeping the 3-month or 70-day scheme for short-term, social insurance-free employment.
The Association of Southern German asparagus and strawberry growers e.V. (VSSE) represents the interests of asparagus and strawberry growers in southern Germany. With over 600 members, the VSSE is Germany's largest association for asparagus and strawberry growers.
For more information:
Verband Süddeutscher Spargel - und Erdbeeranbauer e.V.
Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 2-6 / Gebäude 5161
76646 Bruchsal
Simon Schumacher
Geschäftsführer / Vorstandssprecher
Tel.: +49 (0)7251 3032080
Fax: +49 (0)7251 3032095
schumacher@vsse.de
76646 Bruchsal
Simon Schumacher
Geschäftsführer / Vorstandssprecher
Tel.: +49 (0)7251 3032080
Fax: +49 (0)7251 3032095
schumacher@vsse.de