The first UK asparagus of the season arrived at New Covent Garden Market this week.
Gilgrove sales directors Mike Roberts and Damien Fowler received the first sendings of 2005 gras to the wholesale sector, distributed by Flamingo UK for Cobrey Farms, in the Wye Valley.
According to Andy Jones, director of Flamingo UK, the season has started slightly earlier than last year for Cobrey Farms, and the company is working to bring the season even further forward to the third week in March for next year.
“This is quite a ground-breaking position to be in,” he said. “Our point of difference is the extent of the season.”
By planting one variety, Gijnlim, on Cobrey Farms’ south-facing slopes, covered with plastic, the growers have been able to maximise heat levels and produce earlier crops. A second variety, Backlim, is planted on north-facing slopes to be produced later.
“The season usually ends around Midsummer’s Day, which is June 21, but we are aiming to harvest right until the end of July,” said Jones.
Roberts said British asparagus is very important to the wholesale market sector and supplies are invariably snapped up as soon as they arrive.
In a move to promote the British origins of the crop, Gilgrove and Flamingo have joined forces to develop a new form of packaging for the asparagus. Roberts said the smaller, red, white, blue and green-coloured design will hold the product better and generally be more appealing to the customer.
The arrival of the packaging was unfortunately beaten by the product’s early appearance but it is due to be unveiled next week.
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