Michigan is expecting an upcoming asparagus crop that will likely be similar to its historical crops. What is expected to vary is the start time this year. "We've had a typical winter and it's still cold, so production looks to start in May," says Trish Taylor, marketing manager for Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc.
© Riveridge Produce MarketingAsparagus is the first commercial crop in Michigan annually.
The asparagus growing in Michigan–the top asparagus-growing state in the U.S.-- benefits largely from its proximity to Lake Michigan. "Most of the asparagus is grown in the Western part of the state, and asparagus likes sandy, loam soil," she says, adding that there is a bit grown in southern Michigan as well. In fact, production starts in southwest Michigan. "With the lake, the climate lends to natural irrigation/rain. That's the difference between us and imported asparagus. Other countries grow in more of a desert-like condition where they provide irrigation and in some areas grow a crop twice a year. Here, asparagus is the first commercial crop of the season."
Typically, the crop runs approximately six to eight weeks out of the state.
How Michigan harvests
While Michigan only produces asparagus in the spring (the state still hand-snaps its product at its natural breaking point rather than having farm workers walk fields and cut down asparagus), imports stretch the season to year-round supply now. In turn, Taylor says that pressures pricing on Michigan's season. "That means when we're able to ship, the price isn't necessarily where we'd like it to be," says Taylor.
© Riveridge Produce MarketingMichigan still hand-snaps its product at its natural breaking point rather than having farm workers walk fields and cut down asparagus.
So, does that mean Michigan will benefit from the recently announced tariffs from the U.S. administration on asparagus-growing countries such as Peru?
"It will be a wait and see. If asparagus outside of the domestic season is more than they're used to paying, will they back away from buying it all year long?" asks Taylor, adding that Michigan growers encourage domestic buyers to freeze and can Michigan's spring production. "It's a big deal to us because there are not that many growers that just grow asparagus in the state. Typically, growers grow asparagus and are fruit tree growers. Their income from the asparagus crop sets them up for the rest of the year. That's why pricing and movement is so important to our growers because that money gets invested right back into more produce output from Michigan."
For more information:
Trish Taylor
Riveridge Produce
Tel: +1 (616) 887-6873
trish.taylor@riveridge.com
www.riveridgeproduce.com