Asparagus has a very ancient history as they were already cultivated in ancient Egypt. Now they are grown on over 200 thousand hectares all over the world.
There are 44,600 hectares in North America. The US and Mexico are the leading producers (23 thousand and 20 thousand hectares, respectively) followed at a distance by Canada (1,600 ha).
In Latin America, there are 31,300 hectares in total and Peru is the leading producer (20 thousand ha).
North America mainly produces green asparagus, while 60% of the asparagus grown in Peru is of the white variety. Preserved or frozen asparagus are also very popular (40-50 and 10%, respectively).
There are 66,500 hectares in Europe, where the fresh produce is much more popular than the processed one. The leading producers are Germany (25 thousand ha), Spain (13 thousand ha) and France/Italy (6,500 ha each).
Excluding China, the leading producer in the world with 57,000 hectares, production in other continents is much lower: Africa (4,800 ha), Asia (12,200 ha excluding China) and Oceania (3,180 ha).
There are 66,500 hectares in Europe, where the fresh produce is much more popular than the processed one. The leading producers are Germany (25 thousand ha), Spain (13 thousand ha) and France/Italy (6,500 ha each).
Excluding China, the leading producer in the world with 57,000 hectares, production in other continents is much lower: Africa (4,800 ha), Asia (12,200 ha excluding China) and Oceania (3,180 ha).
Processed asparagus (preserved and frozen) are much more popular in these continents compared to the fresh produce. In China, white asparagus are much more popular than green ones (70% compared to 30%), but only 30% of them is sold fresh, the rest is preserved (60%) or frozen (10%).
Christian Befve
"These characteristics make it possible to see how global asparagus cultivation is complementary rather than competing," explains asparagus expert Christian Befve during the event to present the International Asparagus Days.
The event will take place in Cesena on 16th-18th October 2018 thanks to the cooperation of Luciano Trentini and in collaboration with Cesena Fiera. It follows up of the fair organised five years ago by Befve in Bordeaux. There will be exhibitors from all over the world as well as many conventions dedicated to agronomic, commercial, strategic and technical aspects.
Luciano Trentini
During the presentation, Bevfe recalled the event in Bordeaux: "it was a celebration rather than a commercial event, the perfect occasion for operators to meet and share opinions and experiences. For example, Peruvian producers understood that it didn't make sense to export cheap asparagus on the European market where they were sold at €3/kg as the local produce was available."