German asparagus campaign could start and finish earlier

This year’s German asparagus campaign could be bigger but shorter, according to one of the country’s leading marketers Landgard.

Since the start of April, open-field production in the Lower Rhine and Rhineland has been available in the country’s supermarkets, whereas typically it takes longer for supply to reach its peak.

“We have been marketing the first asparagus from heated regional cultivation from western Germany in small quantities since the beginning of March,” explains Alexander Scheufen, vegetable sales manager at Landgard.

Harvesting of open-field crops in the western part of Germany began in week 12, Scheufen says. “Traditionally, the first outdoor asparagus is initially available in farm shops and at weekly markets, due to the lower yields. With increasing volumes, after Easter we were now able to supplement the marketing via Landgard to retailers with outdoor goods.”

Thorsten Clemens runs a family-owned farm in Nettetal-Leuth, which is right on the German-Dutch border less thank 5km from Venlo. It produces early, medium and late varieties on around 45ha under cover.

“Due to the comparatively high ground temperature, we have had larger harvest quantities right from the start this year,” he reveals. “Unlike in regions that have rather heavy soils, here in Nettetal we luckily didn’t have a problem with too much water and were able to navigate the areas easily.”

Availability over the coming weeks depends largely on the weather, Clemens adds. Larger peak supply could mean a faster end to the campaign.

“If the good yields continue, smaller quantities could be available on the market at the end of the season this year than in 2023.”