A Retrospective on the 2024 Asparagus Harvest in Germany
A Retrospective on the 2024 Asparagus Harvest in Germany
On St. John’s Day, June 24, the traditional end of the asparagus marketing season, FreshPlaza.de reviews this year’s asparagus campaign across various regions in Germany. The season was marked by early starts, weather extremes, and fluctuating market conditions.
Bavaria: Early Harvest Conclusion
In Bavaria, the asparagus season ended two weeks earlier than usual. Karl-Heinz Bernard, Deputy Chairman of the Franconian Asparagus Growers’ Association, reported a satisfactory year with the first spears harvested in early April. By June 10, most Lower Franconian growers had wrapped up their season.
Saxony-Anhalt: Declining Cultivation Areas
Saxony-Anhalt saw a continuous decline in asparagus cultivation. In 2023, 30 farms harvested a total of 1,489 tonnes on 322 hectares. Despite the shrinking cultivation areas, the average yield slightly exceeded the six-year average at 46 dt/ha. Both the cultivated and non-yielding areas saw reductions, a first in four years.
North Rhine-Westphalia: Balanced Supply and Demand
In North Rhine-Westphalia, the asparagus season was characterized by perfect weather conditions. The Chamber of Agriculture noted a well-balanced supply and demand, particularly during the public holidays in May, resulting in a positive season overall.
Hesse: A Season of Extremes
Hesse experienced a challenging season with yields and sales slightly below average. Persistent rain caused significant issues for farmers like Stephan Funk, whose fields were waterlogged, impacting crop growth and harvest.
Baden: High Prices Hinder Sales
In Baden, high asparagus prices, driven by increased wages and rising fertilizer costs, led to reduced sales. Asparagus trader Walter Borel noted that prices starting at ten euros per kilo deterred many customers, particularly retirees.
Thuringia: Avoiding Overharvesting
Thuringia’s asparagus harvest concluded early, with Stefan Klingshirn of Klingshirn Asparagus Farm ending the season on June 8 to avoid overharvesting. Despite the challenges, the farm achieved satisfactory yields with a focus on quality over quantity.
Brandenburg: Satisfactory Season
The Kremmen asparagus farm in Brandenburg reported a successful season, with early plots harvested from March 26. The restaurant trade was particularly strong in May, contributing to a positive outcome for the season.
Schleswig-Holstein: Stable Prices
Asparagus farmers in Schleswig-Holstein enjoyed an average season with satisfactory results. Despite delayed spring fieldwork due to wet conditions, the season’s relatively stable prices and moderate temperatures ensured good quality and consistent quantities.
Conclusion
The 2024 asparagus season across Germany reflected a mix of early starts, weather-induced challenges, and varying market responses. While some regions faced difficulties, others managed to maintain satisfactory yields and sales, illustrating the diverse conditions and adaptive strategies of German asparagus farmers.
