Just in time for the official start of spring, Pfalzmarkt producers have been harvesting the first "Palatinate Spring Asparagus" this season at the end of March. After the very first traditionally still very small quantities went to farm sales, the nationwide marketing launch at Pfalzmarkt für Obst und Gemüse eG is now slowly turning the tide.
Slower growth has not harmed the excellent quality
Since March 26, the traditional "asparagus office" at Pfalzmarkt für Obst und Gemüse eG has been officially staffed: a team of market experts here is exclusively dedicated to selling the noble vegetable to wholesale market customers and the national food retail trade. Hugo Da Mota, a member of the asparagus office staff, explains: "Compared to the exceptionally early start last year, we are a week later than normal this year. The relatively low temperatures at the end of February and beginning of March, combined with little sunshine, have caused the growth in the mounds to be somewhat slower, but this has not harmed the very good qualities!" More sun and higher temperatures are slowly but surely increasing the quantities, which – as asparagus expert Hugo Da Mota explains – "is generally very good and healthy for the quality and a continuous market development in the still very young asparagus season!"
© Pfalzmarkt eGSymbolically and as a thank you to the important buyers from the catering industry, the "first pound of Palatinate asparagus" was presented to head chef Marc Dutschmann of 'Dutschmann's Kapellchen' in Wachenheim: Pictured from left: Hugo Da Mota, market expert on asparagus, Hans-Jörg Friedrich, Pfalzmarkt board of management, asparagus supplier and Pfalzmarkt producer Michael Zapf, Simone and Marc Dutschmann, Christian Deyerling, chairman of the supervisory board, and Leo Zastrow, sales specialist from the asparagus office at Pfalzmarkt eG.
"First pound of Palatinate asparagus" handed over on marketing platform
Until the annual finale of the asparagus season on June 24, the traditional Feast of St. John, the hospitality industry is one of the most important buyers of 'Palatinate spring asparagus'. For this reason, Pfalzmarkt eG symbolically awards the "First Pound of Palatinate Asparagus" to a restaurant that is particularly dedicated to asparagus enjoyment and verbatim celebrates the special seasonal vegetable in the kitchen and on the menu.
Pfalzmarkt board member Hans-Jörg Friedrich and supervisory board chairman Christian Deyerling – together with Pfalzmarkt member and asparagus producer Michael Zapf from Kandel – symbolically presented the "first pound of Palatinate asparagus" to head chef Marc Dutschmann of 'Dutschmann's Kapellchen' in Wachenheim. Hans-Jörg Friedrich said: "Marc Dutschmann explores unconventional solutions, not only when it comes to asparagus but also many other types of vegetable in season, and gets fresh inspiration for his cuisine from the producers in the 'Gemüsegarten Pfalz', making him the perfect culinary ambassador and this year's recipient of the 'First Pound of Palatinate Asparagus'."
At Pfalzmarkt eG, the acreage of around 650 hectares and the number of currently 20 asparagus producers are almost on par with the previous year's level. By St. John's Day, around 832,000 kg of white and green asparagus had been marketed through the trading platform in Mutterstadt in the previous year's season. The share of green asparagus was around seven percent, the same as the previous year. This also applies to the turnover of goods, which amounted to around 4.2 million euros in 2024. The highest and lowest quantities delivered in a day in 2024 were between 28 metric tons and 0.5 metric tons. Considering the minimum wage increase from €12.41 to €12.82 as of January 1, 2025, the already very high wage cost pressure on producer companies has increased further. This also has consequences for marketing, which is pressured to succeed in achieving the best possible prices every day, they continue.
For more information:
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