This year's asparagus harvest is now in full swing in all German growing regions. "The outlook is positive, and there is little cause for complaint. The late Easter and the balanced market situation at the start of the season have been particularly beneficial for the asparagus industry this year," summarizes Günter Hugenberg, product specialist at Bejo Samen GmbH.
The breeding company is the driving force behind recognized asparagus varieties such as Cygnus, Prius, and Sirius. The latest innovation from Bejo, called Genius—a medium-early white asparagus variety—was officially launched at last year's expoSE in Karlsruhe. Hugenberg: "The response following the trade fair was astonishingly strong, which was confirmed by plant propagators. The variety has a relatively high number of spears with a diameter of between 16 and 26 millimeters, meaning that more spears can be harvested per hectare. Overall, the results so far indicate good quality, low losses, and therefore a high yield. So I think we've hit the right note with this variety."
Günter Hugenberg is the contact person for asparagus, providing advice and support to numerous businesses.
Depending on the location and weather conditions, this mid-early variety is harvested between the end of April and the end of May. The first marketable produce will be available this year, albeit in modest quantities. "These are smaller trial areas. The first larger plantations will be planted this year and will already start producing yields next year. The variety is still growing, but we are confident that it will gradually establish itself in the coming years."
Green asparagus continues to gain in popularity
According to Hugenberg, white asparagus cultivation could continue to stagnate in the coming years or even decline slightly. Green asparagus, on the other hand, continues to gain importance in German cultivation. "Green asparagus is easier to prepare and particularly popular with younger consumers. In terms of cultivation, however, the profitability of green German asparagus cultivation still leaves something to be desired. I see a lot of room for improvement here."
© Bejo Samen
The latest asparagus innovation in Bejo Seeds' range is called Genius.
'Impending desertification' threatens East German asparagus cultivation
Structural change is likely to continue in the German asparagus sector, with smaller farms in particular ceasing production. However, this downward trend must be viewed in a differentiated manner, says Hugenberg, pointing to the varying consequences of climate change in the respective asparagus-growing regions. "Eastern Germany is becoming even drier compared to other growing regions. Some meteorologists are even talking about a kind of impending desertification. The consequences for asparagus cultivation are already becoming apparent in some cases. According to this, there will hardly be any areas without irrigation in the long term," he concludes.
© Bejo Samen
The Genius variety was tested for a long time as Exp 3408 before it was officially launched.
For more information:
Günter Hugenberg
Bejo Samen GmbH
Danziger Straße 29
47665 Sonsbeck
Phone: +49 172 2613001
[email protected]
www.bejosamen.de
