Because of the increased cost of energy asparagus from the German federal state of Hessen will be slightly more expensive. The Hessen Bauernverband/Farmer's Union mentioned that the price of diesel fuel, especially important for growers, has increased substantially. "This is a factor which influences the final price" said spokesman Bernd Weber. An asparagus grower mentioned an increase of 50 cents/kg for first choice asparagus. At the moment at the start of the harvest these costs are between ten and twelve Euro/kg.
Large quantities of asparagus are mainly expected in the month of May. Prices will then automatically decrease. Last year the lowest price for one kilo of asparagus first choice was 7.50 Euro, according to Rolf Meinhardt, chairman of the working community 'Spargel Südhessen'. South-Hessen is the centre of asparagus cultivation in the federal state. The season ends on 24 June. The Bauerverband (DBV) expect a similar harvest to last year of about 11,000 tons. 2009 was a record year with 12,000 tons.