Peruvian asparagus

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers’ Association (PAIA) will focus even greater efforts during 2012 on spreading a positive message about the vegetable on the US market.

The association anticipates increasing US consumption and demand for fresh asparagus during 2012, according to a news release.

As part of its 2012/13 Category Management Plan Outline for fresh Peruvian asparagus, PAIA said it will communicate the benefits of fresh asparagus with industry trade press, supermarkets and consumers through articles, advertisements, direct-communication, and trade show participation.

The US imported more than 384m lbs of fresh asparagus in 2011, according to statistics from the US Department of Commerce and US Census Bureau, of which Peru represented over 189m lbs, or 49 per cent of the total volume.

PAIA said Peru continues to be a strong leader in supply of quality asparagus to the US market enabling US retailers to stock fresh-market asparagus on their shelves all year round.

In its 2012/13 Outline, PAIA said it provides fresh-market asparagus consumption key demographics, category and merchandising goals, suggestions on display, and promotional/advertising ideas that offer retailers fresh strategies to increase sales of Peruvian asparagus.

“We are promoting the Category Management Plan Outline for Fresh Peruvian Asparagus with the goal of equipping and supplying retailers and industry at large with the necessary information that is outlining the health benefits, value and convenience of fresh Peruvian asparagus,” states PAIA coordinator, Priscilla Lleras.