It seemed the Italian asparagus season was going to start early because of the mild winter but, according to Bologna wholesalers, the drop in temperatures of the past few weeks changed everything.
"Some has arrived from Sicily and Basilicata, but we are talking about small volumes. At the moment, the only asparagus available in greater volumes on the domestic market is from Naples, which is of an earlier variety. "However, while it started well 2/3 weeks ago, quantities have now diminished. The variety is only available on the domestic market because it is half green and half white and only entirely green ones are requested abroad," explains Mario Tartari, sales manager for Eurofrut.
"The first asparagus from Apulia should become available this week, together with those form Spain. There has been a slight delay due to the bad weather of the past few weeks." Last year, asparagus became available in Apulia in early March. The product is in fact very much affected by the weather "as cold temperatures stop its growth, though they do not damage it. The situation is a bit different in Spain, where the frost of a couple of weeks ago did indeed cause some damage."
Because of this, "there has been quite some interest on the foreign market for the Italian produce, though exports will have to wait as only small volumes will be available until Easter due to the rain and cool temperatures."
Prices are still rather high - "they hover around €3.50 and 5.50 per kg depending on the type. Normal prices for 500 gram bunches hover around €2.20-2.80/kg."
