French Asparagus season preparing for a successful Easter
Around 40 producers are working in cooperation with Maïsadour in 2014. Total production acreage for white asparagus is 200 ha with a 1,200 ton target.
Last year, the season was satisfactory despite the production goals not being achieved due to weather conditions. Céline Peillod, Vegetable Production Manager for Maïsadour says ''we were the only production region producing'' which obviously gave an advantage.
Although the mild, rainy winter worried producers, they benefited from a favourable climate at the start of Spring. A slight delay allowed them to focus on the Easter holidays (which is when the asparagus season normally begins). Easter is 20 days later than last year, so the slight delay works to their advantage, ''production will peak for Easter, with an attractive product of quality'' says the satisfied Manager.
The Asperges des Sables des Landes will be available in supermakets until Pentecost which traditionally marks the end of the season ''One must know when to stop to allow the plant to revegetate and start the next season under the best conditions'' explains Céline Peillod. This is why the plant can produce for 8 - 10 years.
Before Pentecost, the Asparagus festival takes place on the 1st May in Pontonx (over 4 tons sold last year). An occasion for Céline Peillod and all of the producers to meet the public and ''bring out THE best of the asparagus and show people what we do''. This year she hopes to sell 5 tons of asparagus during the event.