White asparagus is in the spotlight for Aragon's agricultural sector these days. The harvest is expected to be "excellent", both in terms of quantity and quality. Integrated in the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) of Navarra, which covers nearly 1,000 hectares, the product is fighting to conquer consumers, competing against imports from Peru and China, where production costs are very low, resulting in retail prices almost 50% lower than those of the domestic product. According to the Spanish Federation of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables (FEPEX), Spain last year brought 9.2 million kilos of fresh asparagus to countries outside the EU, compared to 8.7 in 2013.
Paco Lorés grows asparagus in Bureta, Campo de Borja, under the Navarra quality seal, since 1993. His company, Conservas Lorés, which was founded 50 years ago, processes the production of 12 of the 17 growers devoted to this sector in Aragon. This year he pays them 2.80 Euro per kilo. "It's a price from which we all profit. I want them to be happy, for them to continue selling me their produce and growing the variety," he states.
He believes that the emergence of imports from third countries, particularly China and Peru, marked a turning point, "as they brought prices down, causing a considerable reduction in the acreage." Addressing this situation is complicated: labour costs for harvesting, processing and packaging are more expensive in Spain, and yields are lower. "Even if the growers gave me their asparagus for free, China's production costs would still be lower," he says. "We used to pack 100,000 kilos and we gradually went down to 7,000 15 years ago. At the moment, we are back at 40,000," he estimates.
Ignacio Gil, a producer from Tudela and member of the Executive Board of the EHNE Growers Union, demanded tools from the administrations to limit imports. "It is a traditional crop in the Ebro valley, which has been very relevant, and we should protect it," he explains. However, they are both optimistic about the future. "Over the past two years, the acreage has been expanding and the industry is paying well," affirms Gil. "The demand for fresh asparagus has grown and people have realised that our quality is better," adds Lorés.
Besides the origin indicated in the label, which has a strong impact on the selling price, consumers may also notice differences as regards their organoleptic properties. Asparagus of Navarra are white, have a smooth texture and a slight bitterness, as a result of the good quality soil, cold nights and clean waters of the production areas.
The cultivation of this vegetable takes place in 176 municipalities of Navarra, 49 of Aragon and 38 of La Rioja. For the product to be labelled with the PGI Asparagus of Navarra it is not enough for it to have been packaged in the area, it must also have been produced in plantations registered by it and subject to its control.
Source: elperiodicodearagon.com