With the first snip, the Flemish Agricultural Minister, Jo Brouns, officially started the Belgian asparagus season last week. That, and Easter being over, however, does not mean that the "white gold" is massively available. "On the contrary, the weather isn't playing along for now, so open-field productions are only quietly starting. We're expecting the large volumes by week 17," begins BelOrta's Benny Cuypers.
The specialist explains that is because it will warm up in the coming weeks. "There are still some imports from Italy or Greece on some shelves, but by week 17, trade can go full steam ahead with the local Belgian and Dutch supply. It's too bad that we're just too late for Easter. We could certainly have used the extra volumes. But that's Mother Nature: you're dependent on her out in the open. You have little influence on that."
Still, that did not spoil this weekend's fun in Flanders' Kinrooi - officially an asparagus municipality since 2011. Minister Brouns harvested the first asparagus on grower Johan Driessens' farm. "It's the queen of vegetables," the minister told Flemish TV broadcaster TVL.
"And Kinrooi is one of the largest asparagus-producing areas in Flanders, so it's always a moment to look forward to. It's also when growers open their farms to people to experience the labor-intensive harvest, but mainly also how the asparagus tastes. We've had a wet, cold spring, but that doesn't affect that flavor."
Benny concurs: "This spring's been mild, so the white asparagus grew slowly and steadily, which has, undoubtedly, benefited the quality." Still, supply has thus far been fairly limited, leading to relatively higher prices. "Prices were good until last week. Easter, when demand is higher, and prices rise accordingly, often sets that pace."
Asparagus grower Fons Nooyens tells the Belgian regional broadcaster RTV that the supply is indeed still limited due to the cold weather and rain. "For now, prices are around €15/kg, but I expect that to plummet when the weather improves. That's when many asparagus will be harvested at once," he explains.
Again, the BelOrta specialist agrees: "If volumes climb sharply after next week, we certainly expect prices to drop significantly. That's needed, too, because by then, sales will also have to pick up. That could happen, especially now, particularly if prices are also a bit lower."
The cooperative's green variety season is also slowly getting started. "That too, of course, is related to the weather. Since that will improve next week, we expect production to get a boost then as well. That's great to see because green asparagus is becoming increasingly popular. Particularly younger consumers are buying more and more of these to add to, say, Asian dishes," Benny concludes.
For more information:
Benny Cuypers
BelOrta
120 Mechelsesteenweg
B-2860, Sint-Katelijne-Waver, BE
Tel: +32 (0) 155 51 111
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.belorta.be