Rolandelli added that JMB imports most of its Peruvian asparagus “by boat to keep costs down for our customers but will fly in asparagus as needed on a case-by-case basis.”
This year, Rolandelli is serving as the co-chair of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association and as such he commented on several industry issues wearing his PAIA hat. He revealed there will be many options for promotion this season. “Retailers have the opportunity of promoting Peruvian asparagus because our importers supply them with a variety of SKU options that fit every shopper’s needs,” he said. “Importers ship in multiple sizes, colors and tailor their products to retailers’ needs, including bagged, tray-packed tips, as well as value-added SKUs.”
He also noted that there are some PAIA initiatives in the works that could affect the buying community. On top of everyone’s mind is the fumigation issue. PAIA has long advocated for the adoption of a systems approach that would eliminate the need for fumigation in many instances. “We are closely working with USDA as we always have,” Rolandelli said. “What I can say at this point is that I would suggest that retailers stay close to their Peruvian asparagus suppliers because there are many new opportunities to come for the buying market of asparagus.”
He added that there appears to be no shipping or logistics issues on the horizon. “This time last year, the Panama Canal was experiencing restrictions due to drought conditions that compounded into traffic jams,” he said. “As of August 2024, the Panama Canal is reporting additional and smooth transits throughout the remainder of the year. We expect the percentage of cargo will remain maritime as we progress through 2024.”