This year's Spanish green asparagus season yielded a similar quantity to last year, but with a noticeable quality improvement.
Industry sources report a slight increase in production, not exceeding 5% compared to 2024. The most notable change has been the enhanced quality of the asparagus, which is more uniform and of higher quality throughout the harvest period that concluded in June for the national crop. This assessment excludes the late summer greening, which is increasingly less significant in the overall picture.
The season started with weather challenges that reduced production by approximately 20%, mainly affecting the fertile lowlands of Granada, particularly around the municipality of Huétor Tájar, home to Spain's most famous green asparagus PGI. The heavy rains in October of the previous year initially raised hopes for high volume and quality, but subsequent storms created uncertainty. Ultimately, the weather improved mid-season, allowing the sector to recover "lost ground" and to have "a good season," according to several experts.
Economically, prices slightly improved over the previous season, but profitability remains constrained by rising production costs. Nevertheless, the value at the source allowed the sector to consider the year generally positive.
Domestic demand continues to grow, ensuring green asparagus is available on store shelves year-round. To fill gaps when local production is unavailable, there is a steady flow of imports from countries like Peru, with which the main domestic operators have supply agreements.
Source: ecomercioagrario.com