Michigan Asparagus growers had a well-deserved chance to relax over the holiday weekend as the busy asparagus season came to a close in the final days of June. Ideal weather conditions made this year’s 6-7 week season a resounding success for growers, in spite of continued competition from international producers.
Rainy conditions this spring created ideal growing conditions, providing the roots with plenty of rainwater. Cooler temperatures allowed producers to stay on top of harvesting the quickly growing crop. “When the weather gets hot, the asparagus just shoots up.” Explains John Bakker, Executive Director of the Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board, “Under the right conditions, we’ll see up to 10 inches of growth in a single day. Those are the days that require us to go through a field two or three times to harvest. If a grower gets behind, they’ll have to mow the field and lose that part of the harvest – that’s why the mild temperatures we had this season are so important.”
The 2019 Michigan Asparagus season was a success in terms of volume produced as well as the quality of the crop, growers said. USDA is currently reporting that this year’s fresh market production reached an all-time high of 14 million pounds. On the flip side, the market for processed asparagus reached an all-time low this year, at just 7 million pounds.
According to producers, with ideal weather conditions and superb quality, the major setback for Michigan Asparagus again took the form of imported asparagus flooding the market during Michigan’s growing season. They said that beginning in late May, imported fresh asparagus from Peru and Mexico began to come into the U.S. undercutting costs associated with domestic production. Michigan shippers reported that a number of retailers canceled standing orders in favor of the low-cost imports.
Michigan growers say their asparagus season relies on the weather, and uses rainwater instead of irrigation for a more sustainable product. Growers in Peru and Mexico can simply turn on their irrigation systems and harvest asparagus any time of the year.
The Advisory Board offered weekly swag giveaways including Michigan Asparagus themed hoodies, kitchen towels, and shopping bags. As consumers engaged with these giveaways and joined in the social media conversation, many became advocates for Michigan Asparagus in addition to remaining aware of its seasonality and how to identify it in the store, according to the Board.
Michigan Asparagus’ family farmers are thankful for another successful growing season, and say they are committed to maintaining their values of seasonally fresh, USA grown, sustainable asparagus.
For more information:
Jodi Hogerton
Tel: +1 (920) 475-8113
[email protected]
www.michiganasparagus.org
