The quantities of German asparagus on offer are now increasing weekly. However, regional price differences are significant. In one city, fans of the healthy spears have to spend quite a bit. In Munich, a kilogram of white asparagus costs EUR 31.80. In Berlin and Cologne, on the other hand, asparagus is available for just under half that price: "We charge €17.90 per kilogram," says asparagus farmer Christian Fuchs (46) from Cologne-Rheindorf. On weekly markets in Berlin, the kilogram is also offered from €18.
Lower Saxony: Decline in acreage and harvest volume are making themselves felt
The first fields are already being harvested. While demand for asparagus was subdued in 2022 due to the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, the trend for the delicacy has been on the rise again since 2023. This year, too, the increased minimum wage and higher energy costs are a major cost factor for businesses. It can, therefore, be assumed that the acreage and the number of producers will continue to decline.
According to the State Office for Statistics, Lower Saxony remained the No. 1 asparagus-producing state in Germany in 2024, but the decline in acreage and harvest volume is noticeable. Data for 2025 are not yet available. Last year, 21,700 tons (t) of asparagus were harvested from 3,900 hectares (ha) of productive land (2023: 4,400 ha). Compared to 2023 (22,800 t), the harvest volume thus fell by 4.8 percent. The area available for cultivation in 2024 was reduced by 11.6 percent compared to the previous year. At 56.2 dt per ha, the asparagus yield in 2024 was 7.9 percent above the average for the previous year (52.1 dt/ha).
In 2024, the largest share of German asparagus-growing area (around 20,000 ha nationwide) could be found in Lower Saxony, with 223 farms growing Asparagus officinalis in 2024. 23 farms produced asparagus using organic methods.
"Unfortunately, the big boom from the Corona period is over. Nevertheless, we have so far been able to offer asparagus at stable prices, similar to last year," reports Heiko Stolle from Klein-Bümmerstede in the Oldenburg district. The ongoing drought is a cause for concern for many asparagus growers. 'We already have to lightly irrigate the open field,' Stolle continues.
Schleswig-Holstein: Asparagus producers are optimistic
In Schleswig-Holstein, the season was also opened by the President of the Chamber of Agriculture, Ute Volquardsen, and representatives of the Asparagus Working Group, together with producers from across Schleswig-Holstein. Farmer Schümann from Hasenmoor is confident that the harvest will be a good one. "The asparagus doesn't need rain now, but warmth," he revealed. His beds, in which the noble vegetables grow, are covered with foil and aired for harvesting. Asparagus is grown on almost 450 hectares by 40 companies in Schleswig-Holstein.
Hesse: Difficult conditions overshadow the start of the season
On April 3, Minister-President Boris Rhein officially opened the Hessian asparagus season at the Steinbrücker Hof in Weiterstadt with the symbolic first cut of the asparagus. His motto: "Hessian asparagus is active climate protection and worthy of support!" He repeatedly emphasized the difficult conditions under which agriculture in Hesse suffers. One of the biggest challenges for fruit and vegetable farmers, wine growers, and horticultural businesses, in addition to bureaucracy, is the looming increase in the minimum wage to EUR 15. Nevertheless, according to Rhein, agriculture in Hesse is very hardworking and deserves recognition.
The increase in the minimum wage would have a massive impact on the competitiveness of domestic businesses and further worsen the already low level of self-sufficiency in regional fruit and vegetables. In recent years, rising costs have already led to a significant reduction in the area under asparagus cultivation in Hesse. A minimum wage of €15, which would also apply to foreign seasonal workers, could put many businesses at risk. Labor-intensive crops would thus lose their profitability because growing them would become too expensive. The Hessian Farmers' Association (HBV) is therefore calling for a special regulation for agriculture regarding the minimum wage to ensure the survival of local businesses and guarantee the regional supply of food.
North Rhine-Westphalia: 2024's asparagus harvest the worst in years
The 2024 harvest in the asparagus fields of North Rhine-Westphalia was the worst in years. The state statistics office reported that asparagus farmers harvested 18.5 tons last year. That was 11.1 percent less than in the previous year - and thus the worst harvest since 2016.
According to the sector, asparagus had to cope with occasional cool temperatures last year, which meant that in many regions, the spears remained smaller than usual. This year, the harvest is already underway in many fields. The season will be officially opened on Wednesday. The sunny weather in recent weeks has done the asparagus good.
By the end of the season on St. John's Day, June 24, about 18,000 tons of asparagus are expected to have been harvested in North Rhine-Westphalia. Around 70 percent of the asparagus is sold directly, from the farm, at weekly markets and at sales stands.
Thuringia: Harvest starts at largest asparagus farm
On Tuesday, the first asparagus of the season will be harvested in Thuringia's largest asparagus-growing area, the Unstrut-Hainich district. The Spargelhof Kutzleben cultivates the noble vegetable on 110 hectares – 20 fewer than last year. Another large asparagus producer is the Agrargesellschaft Herbsleben. The white and green spears are growing on 80 hectares there – the same as last year.
The harvest is starting at exactly the right time, said Jan Niclas Imholze from the Kutzleben asparagus farm. Mid-April is the norm in Thuringia.
Saxony-Anhalt: Modest start to the harvest
The asparagus season in Saxony-Anhalt is starting slowly – cold nights are slowing the growth of the popular vegetable. "There will be asparagus at Easter," said Patrick Wolter, operations manager at the Agrargenossenschaft Hohenseeden. However, depending on the weather, it could be difficult to satisfy everyone's hunger for vegetables on time.
Last year, around 1,820 tons of asparagus were harvested in Saxony-Anhalt from an area of 360.7 hectares, according to the State Statistical Office in Halle. The harvest was thus higher than in previous years: in 2023, almost 1,500 tons were harvested, and in 2022, around 1,400 tons.
Rhineland-Palatinate: Full supply expected at Easter
The sunny weather is playing into the hands of asparagus, so to speak. There will certainly be enough asparagus for Easter. Andreas Köhr from the Farmers' and Winegrowers' Association of Southern Rhineland-Palatinate confirms: There will be enough asparagus, and the harvest has started well in all growing areas.
Brandenburg: Early, slow start
As an employee of the Syringhof reported to BERLIN LIVE, the asparagus season started a little earlier this year than usual. But this is good news for customers. Thanks to the "early but slow start", a good harvest is expected here.
Regarding the prices of asparagus, an employee at Syringhof explained that this year they would be similar to those of last year. So a large increase is not to be expected. The price per kilo starts at nine euros (soup asparagus or broken asparagus) and goes up to almost 16 euros for the best quality asparagus.
Austria: Slight decline in harvest expected
After the historically early start to the asparagus harvest last year, Austrian consumers will have to be a little more patient this year. The reason for this is the low temperatures, which are causing a delay of one to two weeks. From mid-April onwards, in time for Easter, domestic asparagus should be available in supermarkets throughout the country, reported Josef Moosbrugger, President of the Chamber of Agriculture.
Asparagus is mainly grown in the Marchfeld region of Lower Austria. Last year, white asparagus accounted for the majority (498 hectares) of the total of 762 hectares of asparagus-growing land in Austria, while green asparagus (including purple asparagus) was grown on 264 hectares, which is almost the same as the area under cultivation in 2023. Last year's harvest was 2,723 tons, and this year's harvest is expected to be slightly lower.
To be able to cover the Austrian consumption of 5,000 tons (preliminary supply balance of Statistik Austria 2023/24), around 3,000 tons of asparagus were imported last year. In 2024, 35 percent of fresh market produce came from Spain, 31 percent from Italy, 14 percent from Hungary, and 8 percent from Germany. Overseas asparagus from Peru comprised a modest 5 percent of total imports.
Switzerland: Cold front endangers asparagus harvest
The recent frosty nights are threatening the Swiss asparagus harvest, so producers are taking protective measures. Cold nights slow the growth of asparagus. The first Swiss white asparagus is already available, but the green asparagus will take a little longer.