Bumper yields of asparagus have been reported in Koo Wee Rup as the harvest is drawing to a close. Growers in Victoria, which produces 95% of Australia's asparagus, have also reported good yields, which has led to an overall increase of 30% this season.
Australian Asparagus Council president James Terry said the main spring harvest had about one month to go.
Mr Terry, who is the export manager for Momack asparagus in Koo Wee Rup, said on a whole prices are low and are similar to last year.
The one is exception to the production boom is Sunraysia, which was forced to stopped production early following last month’s heat wave.
Asparagus Growers of Sunraysia secretary John Hensgen said most growers in the district stopped production about three week earlier than they normal.
“Up until that point the season hadn’t been bad,” Mr Hensgen said.
“Prices at the beginning of the season were actually ok compared to last year so growers decided to stop their production early because they didn’t want to lose money out of what they had made.
“Prices for domestic markets ranged from $2 a bunch down to 75 cents but I think the export market has held up better this year than it did last year.”
