Earlier arrival of asparagus from Mexico causes downward pressure on pricing
From
| 11 October 2022
Overview of asparagus from Mexico in the U.S. market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published on October 7, 2022.
Supplies of asparagus coming into the U.S. are good right now.
Charlie Eagle, vice president of business development for Southern Specialties, says that supplies out of Peru are slightly lower than they were this time last year. “Our white asparagus deal from Peru runs throughout the year, and we are the largest supplier of this product in the nation,” says Eagle.
At the same time, Mexico is also starting to ship asparagus–slightly earlier this year in Baja due to plentiful rain brought on by Hurricane Kay, which hit the region in early September.
More supply, better demand
As for demand, it’s normal for asparagus. “Asparagus consumption continues to grow overall,” says Eagle, adding that Southern Specialties offers a variety of pack styles for consumers. “The increased supplies will create additional opportunities for consumers to enjoy fresh asparagus.”
All of this means that prices are currently lower than this time last year due to those earlier arrivals of asparagus from Mexico.
Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics.
(Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here)
However, inflation is a concerning factor. “Logistics, fertilizer, and packaging costs continue to stress profitability,” says Eagle. “We work hard to maintain costs for our customers.”
Looking ahead over the next few weeks, Eagle adds that it continues to expect good supplies and demand for asparagus.
The News in Charts is a collection of stories from the industry complemented by charts from Agronometrics to help better tell their story.
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