Every cloud certainly has a silver lining for German asparagus farmers, it seems: "This year the producers are finally earning a little more again," says one trader. This is not 'despite' Corona, but precisely because of it.
Direct marketing sales have risen significantly this year, as consumers are increasingly turning to local producers. There, asparagus prices have been rising again since last week and the vegetables are being traded for up to €10 per kilo.
"Correspondingly, there are predominantly Dutch products on the wholesale markets in Germany. The imported goods are traded for around €4.50 per kilo - the prices for the German product are traditionally one euro higher (€5.50 last Friday at the Düsseldorf wholesale market). With this price discrepancy, it is clear that producers prefer direct marketing."
Supply and demand are well-balanced at the moment. Nobody seems to have any major problems with this season - against all expectations. "We have had some difficult asparagus years behind us, and this year too, in view of Corona, expectations were anything but rosy. Fortunately, however, things turned out differently and everyone is earning well from their vegetables."