The production of asparagus is still embryonic in Colombia. According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the production of a semester barely amounts to 130 to 140 tons, and the crops are concentrated in the department of Caldas.
Six years ago, the country achieved some slight peaks that allowed the export of the vegetable. However, Procolombia confirmed that the country does not currently export the product.
One of the three partners of Esparragos Sol Verde SAS, Jaider Velasquez, said that there were few growers in the asparagus business who had given continuity to the production in the country.
One of the reasons has to do with the high production costs. According to estimates, producers need to invest $35 to $40 million per hectare.
The seed is imported from the United States and 17,000 to 18,000 seedlings must be planted in each hectare.
Espárragos Sol Verde SAS sells, on average, 150,000 kilos per year. Each kilo is sold between $ 10,000 and $ 12,000.
Characteristics of the crop
In tropical lands such as Colombia, which is not the ideal place to grow this crop, asparagus can be harvested all year round. The ideal soil for its development lies between 1,750 and 2,100 meters above sea level. In Colombia, not many producers have experience growing this vegetable.
According to agronomist Gerardo de Jesus Marín Giraldo, the protection of the crop accounts for 25% of the costs because it demands a lot of labor, preferably of women because it is a very delicate crop.
One of the challenges for producers and associations is to increase national consumption.