Americans consume over 500 million pounds of asparagus each year, with the vast majority, or 80%-90% of the vegetable being imported, primarily from Mexico and Peru, according to the USDA. In 2021, Peru accounted for about 40% of the value of all U.S. asparagus imports, second only to Mexico’s 59% share of imports.
Peak production from Peru usually occurs by mid September.
By value, according to the USDA, the top sources of imported asparagus in the U.S. from April 2021 through March 2022, compared with a year earlier, were:
- Mexico: $381.6 million, 2% down from $389.5 million;
- Peru: $263.7 million, up 2% from $257.7 million; and
- Canada: $8.3 million, up 48% from $5.6 million.
“The U.S. Department of Commerce reported a 14% year-over-year volume increase of fresh market asparagus imports to the U.S. in 2021, said the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association, or PAIA, in a news release. “With the two main source contributors being Peru and Mexico, the year-over-year volume increase for each country empowers importers to work closely with their retailer and foodservice customers to forecast and implement promotions year-round.”
“Imported asparagus is a year-round commodity, and importers will continue to provide various buying options for their customers,” added PAIA co-Chairman Walter Yager, of Alpine Fresh, in the release. “Asparagus is a nutritional powerhouse with versatile preparation possibilities.”
PAIA importer members have been sharing their fresh asparagus recipes with U.S. consumers since 2021. But PAIA is stepping up its recipe creation and promotion with the help of Peruvian asparagus importers, such as Southern Specialties of Pompano Beach, Fla., Yager said.
While cool temperatures during Peru’s winter this year have led to slightly lower yields, suppliers of asparagus from Peru are confident that steady supplies will prevail — even with a slight decrease in both asparagus imports and production from Peru.
“We expect supplies from Peru to be similar to last season, with production increasing in late September and promotable supplies beginning in October,” said Tracy Wood, vice president of sales for Seven Seas in Vero Beach, Fla. “It has been a cool winter in Peru, with lower yields so far in July. At this time, [we] expect to begin harvesting for the primary Peru season in mid-September, with promotable volume in October through mid-January.”
Charlie Eagle, Southern Specialties vice president, business development, sees the Peruvian asparagus season tracking similarly.
“Production from Peru is approximately the same as last year,” he said. “Exports to the U.S. have increased about 5% this year. This is largely due to obstacles in reaching other countries.”
While the Peruvian asparagus season typically peaks September through December, a climate that allows for year-round cultivation, is one reason this South American country is a powerhouse of asparagus production.
“Peru has a variety of climates that are ideal for growing asparagus,” Valdes noted. “The benefit of Peru is that asparagus can be grown in the north and south, and the two regions peak at different times. This allows us to import asparagus 52 weeks a year from Peru.”
For Seven Seas, which works with grower partners in the northern, central and southern regions along the coast of Peru, asparagus is always in season.
“Asparagus production in Peru is primarily along the west coast in what is considered a coastal desert,” Wood said. “The moderate temperatures, daily sunshine and sandy soils along the coast are ideal for asparagus production. These conditions, combined with varietal selection and water management, result in an excellent quality product.”
Sourcing from a number of grower partners in different parts of the country allows Seven Seas to provide its customers with asparagus, virtually year-round.