NZ asparagus

Asparagus exports from Horowhenua in New Zealand to Japan have jumped 30 per cent this season as a result of the falling New Zealand dollar, the Manawatu Standard has reported.

After a late spring start following a cold winter, the crop picked up to become one of the largest for some years, according to Tendertips co-owner Geoff Lewis.

'We had an outstanding team of pickers and in the packhouse too. It was a good production year, even though it was late starting,' he told the publication. 'At the height of the season, we were exporting 36,000 small 100g bunches every day. We exported a total of 125 tonnes over the whole season.'

Mr Lewis added that some small volumes were sent to Australia, and that supply and demand would determine how big that market would become in the future.