Peru asparagus yield very good but delayed for September

The growing region for Peruvian asparagus is transitioning from the north to the south; Ica’s season starts in September but is somewhat delayed in meeting the month’s start. “We’re expecting a very good year in terms of yields and volume,” said Rodolfo Liau-Kang of Crystal Valley Foods. Volume imported into the United States is concentrated on green standard and large sizes. White variety has been consistent on volume but it’s been a more stagnant market. “The market doesn’t really change much,” he said. “Demand is fairly stable however this year there has been an oversupply as more shippers tried to gain presence in the market with the result that prices dropped.”

Last year’s El Nino brought on a reduced crop but this year weather was more favourable and cooler. Liau-Kang says for the remainder of the year imports to Miami on medium boxes will be up 8-10 percent more in volume from last year. Currently prices are lower due to the large supply of Mexican asparagus. “Central Mexico had stronger supplies than normal and continue with higher than normal volume at the end of September. This has reduced demand on Peruvian product to a degree, and has resulted in less demand for Air Space, and air freight rates are currently lower than normal for this period due to less demand for space." 

A little product still remains from Mexico, but once the first week of September hits there will be heavy movement from Peru. “There’s going to be a lot of demand, a lot of movement and a lot of promotion,” Liau-Kang says on something that has continued to grow in demand for the last decade. “For us as a company it’s been growing every year and it’s something we push a lot. It seems there’s a non-stop demand for asparagus.”