The asparagus from Alsace and the Landes sprouted early this year, but not in the Loire Valley. “The asparagus harvest is slowly starting because the weather is not on our side. So we do not have early asparagus this year, the season is simply starting at the usual time,” explains Christophe Piquet, a buyer and seller at Vivyfruits.
The season is starting slowly but will catch up fast
As for demand in the region, it is also slow to start. “In the Landes, they have not only good volumes but also decent prices. So we cannot begin the season by aligning with them.” Yet, Christophe is not worried. “Of course, the precocity in other regions at the beginning of the season can influence the price of the asparagus from the Loire Valley that will arrive next, but once we will have started around Saumur, there won’t be any difference anymore. The production in the early regions will have ended, but we will still be here. So the beginning of the season will be more complicated, but then it will be just fine. It is only a matter of a short delay.”
Quality asparagus from the Loire Valley
In terms of quality, Christophe is satisfied. “We grow mainly white and purple asparagus, and for now, the quality is very good. The first ones we received, in bundles and in bulk, presented no problems for quality.”
As for the taste of the white asparagus from the Loire Valley, Christophe has no doubt about the success the product will have with consumers. “In our region, the white asparagus is the most popular because it has a more refined taste. Many chefs say that they go for the asparagus of the Loire Valley, as soon as it is available. The terroir is very much appreciated for its asparagus.”
“We are trying very hard to produce asparagus without any pesticide residue (ZPR) but we do not have any organic production yet,” explains Christophe. “We have however producers who are in the process of conversion and just waiting for their certification, because the demand for organic asparagus is growing.”
For more information: 
Christophe Piquet
Vivyfruits
Min de Vivy
49680 Vivy, France .
Phone: +33 (0) 2 41 53 04 10 .
ventes@vivyfruits.com
www.vivyfruits.com