Good prices and no harvesting problems registered for asparagus. Giandomenico Arentieri, producer from the Brindisi area, grows the produce on 7 hectares. "I am pleased with how things have gone so far. We started harvesting a month ago and quantities are increasing also thanks to the increase in temperatures."
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High temperatures like the over 25°C registered on 11th April 2017 mean crops must be irrigated every two days, as it hasn't rained in months. "I use hoses to avoid waste and irrigate all plants well. This way, quality is very good."
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Prices are also good. The most critical month is May, as there is lots of produce available. Argentati conveys its volumes to a wholesaler and the average price is €2/kg. Expected yields are the usual, i.e. around 8 tons per hectare. The harvest is destined to the fresh produce market until late May, then it is sent to the processing industry to make asparagus tips in oil.
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Another producer from the Tarquinia area is also pleased. "Prices are good, just like quality and quantity. They are indeed slightly lower than last year, but there are no market problems. We have not yet reached full production though."
Harvesting in northern Italy is still at the beginning, however, with the high temperatures of the past few days, shoots ripened quickly.