Pacific Produce increasing its asparagus footprint in Peru
Pacific Produce increasing its asparagus footprint in Peru
For more than two decades, Miami-based Pacific Produce has been importing asparagus, beginning with its own production from Peru in 2002.
That initial production was grown by its closely affiliated grower Agrokasa, and since then the company has expanded its imported asparagus presence, developing additional growers in both Peru and Mexico.
“This has strengthened our position and allowed us to become a reliable year-round supplier continuously since 2002,” said Isabel Tavera, vice president and sales director of Pacific Produce. “Now, 23 years after entering the asparagus business, we are proud to renew our commitment with a major announcement: our Peruvian grower, Agrokasa, is making a return with a new investment of 600 hectares of asparagus in Pisco, Peru.”
She noted that this project was approved in mid-September, with planting scheduled to begin in 2026. Agrokasa’s Pisco project encompasses 2,400 hectares where the company is already cultivating avocados, blueberries and grapes.
“Now asparagus will be part of that portfolio,” Tavera said. “With this new investment, we reaffirm our dedication to the asparagus customers who have been with us from the start, and we look forward to continuing to serve them for years to come.”
She made it clear that Agrokasa has continuously supplied fresh asparagus to the U.S. market through Pacific Produce, but this new project will greatly increase its production, which is very much needed moving forward.
Tavera revealed that U.S. asparagus imports have declined significantly over the past five years. In 2021, the United States imported more than 53 million cartons from Peru and Mexico. That number dropped under 50 million cartons in 2022 and has declined every year since. In 2024, total imports were less than 43 million cartons according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “So far this year — 2025 compared to the same time in 2024 — we show 14 percent less volume,” she said.
Taver said that asparagus acreage has been declining in Peru as some growers have replaced aging asparagus acreage with others crops, most notably avocados, grapes and blueberries. One of the key challenges for new asparagus production is finding land that has never been farmed before and also has a reliable water source. “Our Pisco farms offer both, making this the ideal location to launch this exciting new project,” said Tavera, adding that this is big news for U.S. buyers.
She said imported asparagus is a popular commodity in the United States, and Agrokasa’s project will help reverse the declining trend. Tavera reiterated that this additional asparagus acreage by the Peruvian grower is a continuation of its long-standing commitment to the commodity. “Agrokasa began producing, exporting and marketing asparagus in 1997,” she said. “In 2007, it reached a historic record, exporting 2.4 million boxes from 1,490 hectares, which represented 13 percent of Peru’s asparagus industry that year.”
When its new acreage is in full production, it will once again rival those numbers and maintain its position as one of Peru’s top asparagus producers. For its part, Pacific Produce also remains committed to the commodity and is continually looking for opportunities to increase its asparagus program with its many growers.
