"Bad weather, as well as an entire winter season characterised by unprecedented rainfall, delayed and are still delaying the harvesting of green Canino asparagus (Lazio). Even the older farmers fail to recall a season that could be compared to this one," says Sergio Marcoaldi, an agronomist from C.O.P.A, the Fruit and Vegetable Associated Producer Cooperative, and adds "just think that, in the months between September 2012 and March 2013, there have been more than 950mm of precipitation, that is to say more than the average rainfall during a whole year."
The cooperative was founded on 5th March 1976 in Canino, in the province of Viterbo (Lazio). It is the point of reference at a national level as regards asparagus cultivation.
At the moment, demand is good and prices are high. "Despite this though, they don't compensate for unharvested quantities, especially since we are very early on in the season. The shortage of asparagus is causing daily losses for our farmers with respect to last year and the cooperative cannot satisfy all the requests coming from clients whom we have been working with for years."
Volumes available vary on a daily basis, but what is surprising is that there is no upward trend yet, as usually happens every year in the first few days. Last year, the C.O.P.A. cooperative produced and commercialised more than 1,300 tons of asparagus. "It is very difficult to make a prediction for this season. Optimistically, we could talk about 35-40% less than last year, but a lot will depend on the weather and temperatures after mid-May. If the end of May/beginning of June won't be too hot we could extend harvesting and recover part of our production, though if temperatures will rise the season might turn even more negative than expected."
The most important sales channels are the main groups of mass retailing, which also commercialise branded produce. Limited quantities are also sold in Northern Italy. In the last few years, following the attainment of the GlobalGap certification, C.O.P.A. started supplying European mass retailers as well, especially in the Netherlands, in England and in Denmark.
At the moment, demand is good and prices are high. "Despite this though, they don't compensate for unharvested quantities, especially since we are very early on in the season. The shortage of asparagus is causing daily losses for our farmers with respect to last year and the cooperative cannot satisfy all the requests coming from clients whom we have been working with for years."
Volumes available vary on a daily basis, but what is surprising is that there is no upward trend yet, as usually happens every year in the first few days. Last year, the C.O.P.A. cooperative produced and commercialised more than 1,300 tons of asparagus. "It is very difficult to make a prediction for this season. Optimistically, we could talk about 35-40% less than last year, but a lot will depend on the weather and temperatures after mid-May. If the end of May/beginning of June won't be too hot we could extend harvesting and recover part of our production, though if temperatures will rise the season might turn even more negative than expected."
The most important sales channels are the main groups of mass retailing, which also commercialise branded produce. Limited quantities are also sold in Northern Italy. In the last few years, following the attainment of the GlobalGap certification, C.O.P.A. started supplying European mass retailers as well, especially in the Netherlands, in England and in Denmark.
Italy imports asparagus from Chile, Mexico and Peru, which arrives in the country through Spain, the main entrance in Europe for produce coming from Latin America, though especially during those months when the national produce is less available. "It is a paradox, but our main competition comes from other regions in Southern Italy, especially Campania and Puglia."
At the moment, as the campaign hasn't fully started yet, Marcoaldi says that it is difficult to record truthful data regarding consumption. "In the last few years, asparagus went from being a niche product to a popular one also because, if bought during certain periods or when on special offer, it is not as expensive as one might think."
In general, the decrease in consumption of fruit and vegetables is palpable. "Despite the situation, we want to hope that the decrease in consumption because of the crisis will be balanced out by the increasing gastronomic interest of consumers."
"In the last few years, we aimed at creating new modern and technologically advanced headquarters to increase our production and commercialisation. We are constantly buying machinery to process and pack our product, choosing appealing and attractive packaging."
Year after year, C.O.P.A. improves its productive standards also thanks to the attainment of certifications, with the objective of growing as a cooperative together with its associates. Our challenges are linked to the improvement of the structure and of the productive and packaging process.
"We are evaluating the possibility of starting the process to attain the PGI mark for the Green Asparagus from Canino. In addition to this, we are collaborating with the University to understand and gain insight on the health and nutritional characteristics of asparagus, which appear to be very interesting."
The identikit of the green asparagus from Canino
The characteristics of the green asparagus from Canino are linked to the particular soil and weather conditions of the area and to cultivation and harvesting techniques. Associates cultivate asparagus on a vast plain right at the bottom of a small mountain chain which used to be a volcano. There is warm geothermal groundwater in the area enabling the cultivation of forced asparagus beds which, thanks to a special plantation system, take advantage of the warmth coming from the water and anticipate shoot formation already in February.
At the moment, as the campaign hasn't fully started yet, Marcoaldi says that it is difficult to record truthful data regarding consumption. "In the last few years, asparagus went from being a niche product to a popular one also because, if bought during certain periods or when on special offer, it is not as expensive as one might think."
In general, the decrease in consumption of fruit and vegetables is palpable. "Despite the situation, we want to hope that the decrease in consumption because of the crisis will be balanced out by the increasing gastronomic interest of consumers."
"In the last few years, we aimed at creating new modern and technologically advanced headquarters to increase our production and commercialisation. We are constantly buying machinery to process and pack our product, choosing appealing and attractive packaging."
Year after year, C.O.P.A. improves its productive standards also thanks to the attainment of certifications, with the objective of growing as a cooperative together with its associates. Our challenges are linked to the improvement of the structure and of the productive and packaging process.
"We are evaluating the possibility of starting the process to attain the PGI mark for the Green Asparagus from Canino. In addition to this, we are collaborating with the University to understand and gain insight on the health and nutritional characteristics of asparagus, which appear to be very interesting."
The identikit of the green asparagus from Canino
The characteristics of the green asparagus from Canino are linked to the particular soil and weather conditions of the area and to cultivation and harvesting techniques. Associates cultivate asparagus on a vast plain right at the bottom of a small mountain chain which used to be a volcano. There is warm geothermal groundwater in the area enabling the cultivation of forced asparagus beds which, thanks to a special plantation system, take advantage of the warmth coming from the water and anticipate shoot formation already in February.
Volcanic soils are ideal for growing asparagus: as they are rich in potassium and other mineral salts, they give asparagus a distinctive bright and deep green colour. In addition to this, the intermediate distance from the sea means that the area is usually not too cold, which would prevent asparagus from growing, and not too hot, which would lead to the withering of shoots i.e. the heads would open and quality would suffer.
Asparagus bed at the bottom of the volcano.
"The particular flavour and the low fibre content are additional characteristics of the products which are recognised by the majority of consumers. They depend on the harvesting method, in fact producers harvest the green produce without the white and fibrous ends, which the consumer would then have to discard." The asparagus from Canino is for this reason also know as the "Mangiatutto" (Eat whole), precisely because of the fact that it can be eaten whole.
Contacts:
Sergio Marcoaldi - Agronomist
C.O.P.A. Cooperativa Ortofrutticola Produttori Associati di Canino (Viterbo)
Tel.: (+39) 0761 438207
Fax: (+39) 0761 437458
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.copacanino.it
