Farmer Lisa Kraft from Naunheim: “When it’s dry and warm early in the year, we start harvesting asparagus at the end of March. Normally, the start is at the beginning of May.” This year, however, the harvest of the white stalks fell through in April. “We couldn’t start until late because it was constantly too wet. And it was also far too cold for asparagus. That’s why we were only able to really get going ten days ago.”
Demand for asparagus was particularly high at Easter, as it is every year. The asparagus farmer from the north of Rhineland-Palatinate had to buy from the competition in the southern Palatinate. It was a few degrees warmer there. “Gastronomy wanted asparagus for Easter. We don’t want to lose our customers. That’s why we started with purchased asparagus.”
Price pressures have already had consequences on the farm: Due to rising labor costs, Ms Kraft had to reduce her asparagus area by 20 percent. Instead, grain now grows on the land. It’s not that labor intensive and therefore still competitive.
Source: globeecho.com