Asparagus is Germany's most important vegetable. And a long-term business for agriculturalists
The world is still al right for asparagus farmers. While colleagues who deal in milk and turnips are bothered with the rates, the prices of many products on the world market are riding a roller-coaster, factory livestock farming is catching criticism, and many agriculturalists are concerned about Russia's import-ban on agricultural products from the EU, the asparagus farmers are off the hook. The harvest of the fine vegetable in this country rose by a hefty 11 percent compared to the previous year. The cultivation area gained about 5 percent. This year there are many positive prospects once again – despite the cold weather.
From the consumers' perspective, the asparagus pleasure has been rather expensive so far. “We currently still have quite a high price level”, says Michael Koch of the Bonn agricultural market information company Ami. A significant balance is only useful towards the end of the season, but a trend is already showing. For instance, on average across the nation, a kilo of white asparagus cost 6.74 Euro over the past weeks.
Compared to the previous week this was 70 cents less, however in comparison with the same week last year, it is an addition of around 23 percent. “However, we are two weeks behind because of the weather this season”, market expert Koch brings into consideration. If one looks back on this shift compared to 2014, it shows a price increase of only a few cents, or converted, four percent. However, these prices are at the top end of the past ten years.
