Washington asparagus supplies expected to be tight
Washington asparagus supplies expected to be tight
Alan Schreiber, executive director of the Washington Asparagus Commission in Eltopia, WA, expects supplies of fresh asparagus will be tight in 2007.
"Supplies will be tighter than last year," Dr. Schreiber told The Produce News. "There are a number of handlers who won't have the product they want. Prices, however, are going to be relatively good."
Statewide, Dr. Schreiber said that 9,500 acres of asparagus are in production in Washington - a decrease of approximately 1,000 acres from 2006. "Some people plowed out their asparagus," he explained. "It will be a bit of a scramble to line up growers."
Last year, growers had to grapple with weather-related problems. According to Dr. Schreiber, wind storms affected grass quality. Mother Nature has been kinder to growers in 2007, as the state has experienced some warm weather followed by recent cooling trends. "On the average, it's been fairly typical," he said of weather patterns this season.
Dr. Schreiber indicated that asparagus production in California - the nation's largest producer - is peaking later than normal. "We hope there will be cool weather [in Washington] so the harvest comes at a different time," he stated. Generally, the harvest typically begins around April 5-10 and concludes toward the latter part of June.
Washington has approximately 200 asparagus growers, and Dr. Schreiber expects the season will yield the high-quality asparagus for which the state is known. Typically, about 53 million pounds of fresh asparagus are produced in Washington annually. Washington experienced good snowfall, and Dr. Schreiber said water will not be an issue this season.
He also indicated that more asparagus would be planted this year than the last two years combined for future fresh production. He said that the new plantings would yield a slight harvest in 2008, a moderate harvest in 2009 and a significant harvest in 2010.
The state is the nation's second-largest producer of asparagus, and Dr. Schreiber said that strong markets exist nationally in population centers away from California. Important destination markets for Washington producers are Seattle, Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston, as well as New York and New Jersey. On the export side, Canada receives a good amount of asparagus, and Dr. Schreiber said that a small volume of product goes offshore.
Perhaps the biggest news in the industry is the ongoing research to develop a mechanical harvester. Dr. Schreiber said that a machine was built last year and is being tested in California.
"The machine is self-propelled," he indicated. "It will be selective [in cutting]." The machine is expected to be moved to Pasco, WA, some time during the season for testing.
Dr. Schreiber said that pest problems for asparagus have been identified. "We've got that managed," he said.
In 2007, the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration approved a grant in the amount of $76,000 for pest management research.
"Supplies will be tighter than last year," Dr. Schreiber told The Produce News. "There are a number of handlers who won't have the product they want. Prices, however, are going to be relatively good."
Statewide, Dr. Schreiber said that 9,500 acres of asparagus are in production in Washington - a decrease of approximately 1,000 acres from 2006. "Some people plowed out their asparagus," he explained. "It will be a bit of a scramble to line up growers."
Last year, growers had to grapple with weather-related problems. According to Dr. Schreiber, wind storms affected grass quality. Mother Nature has been kinder to growers in 2007, as the state has experienced some warm weather followed by recent cooling trends. "On the average, it's been fairly typical," he said of weather patterns this season.
Dr. Schreiber indicated that asparagus production in California - the nation's largest producer - is peaking later than normal. "We hope there will be cool weather [in Washington] so the harvest comes at a different time," he stated. Generally, the harvest typically begins around April 5-10 and concludes toward the latter part of June.
Washington has approximately 200 asparagus growers, and Dr. Schreiber expects the season will yield the high-quality asparagus for which the state is known. Typically, about 53 million pounds of fresh asparagus are produced in Washington annually. Washington experienced good snowfall, and Dr. Schreiber said water will not be an issue this season.
He also indicated that more asparagus would be planted this year than the last two years combined for future fresh production. He said that the new plantings would yield a slight harvest in 2008, a moderate harvest in 2009 and a significant harvest in 2010.
The state is the nation's second-largest producer of asparagus, and Dr. Schreiber said that strong markets exist nationally in population centers away from California. Important destination markets for Washington producers are Seattle, Detroit, Philadelphia and Boston, as well as New York and New Jersey. On the export side, Canada receives a good amount of asparagus, and Dr. Schreiber said that a small volume of product goes offshore.
Perhaps the biggest news in the industry is the ongoing research to develop a mechanical harvester. Dr. Schreiber said that a machine was built last year and is being tested in California.
"The machine is self-propelled," he indicated. "It will be selective [in cutting]." The machine is expected to be moved to Pasco, WA, some time during the season for testing.
Dr. Schreiber said that pest problems for asparagus have been identified. "We've got that managed," he said.
In 2007, the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration approved a grant in the amount of $76,000 for pest management research.
