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Asparagus markets expected to remain lower

A produce marketer says while prices for asparagus started out strong for growers this season, large harvests and imports are starting to weighing on the market.

Don Armock, President of Riveridge Produce Marketing in Sparta, Michigan, tells Brownfield there’s been a dramatic change in how asparagus is grown in the U.S. and Michigan is now the nation’s second largest producer.  “The season was quite cool for all the northern production areas—meaning Washington State, Michigan and New Jersey—so early on in the season with California not having near the production they normally would, there were really strong markets.”

He says ideal growing conditions the last few weeks has increased production to near normal levels and imported product is entering the U.S. sooner than expected.  “We have both Peru and Mexico that are now both coming back to the market which is essentially three weeks earlier than they normally would.  Normally we see a boast after the holiday week, I’m not sure just how much of a boost we’ll see for the balance of the season.”

Armock says he expects pressure from imports to keep prices in the current lower range through the remainder of the season which should wrap up at the end of the month.

AUDIO: Interview with Don Armock