Karlsruhe (dpa / lsw) – The asparagus farmers in the country look back on the season with one laughing and one crying eye: “We had significantly less income, but prices that partially offset that,” said Simon Schumacher, the association’s board spokesman South German asparagus and strawberry grower (VSSE / Bruchsal), the dpa news agency. The fact that the season was mixed was due to the delayed start. “We were seldom as late as this year.” The cool and wet spring and the coldest May in 40 years have left their mark. “Asparagus needs sun.”
Compared to the four-year average (10,685 tons), the association expects a weather-related decline in yield of 2000 to 3000 tons in Baden-Württemberg this year. This is about 20 to 30 percent less yield than usual. Despite the later start, the season will not be extended beyond June 24, according to Schumacher. The moisture and warmth are now good so that the plants can grow and recharge their batteries.
In terms of quality, the asparagus farmers were satisfied: “We had very nice and aromatic stalks.” Thanks to foils, temperature fluctuations could be compensated for; the pale vegetables had grown evenly. “Without the foil it would have been a disaster.” Foils were partly turned on the white side so that not too many stalks sprout out of the earth at once.
Even Corona brought its good: “Corona has increased sensitivity for regional foods.” Above all, the “sale from the farm” has proven itself and has been very well received. Despite the pandemic, there was no problem with the harvest workers that year because enough helpers were able to travel overland as normal, says Schumacher.
In Baden-Württemberg, asparagus is mainly grown in the southern Rhine valley around Freiburg and in northern Baden between Baden-Baden and Mannheim on an area of around 2200 hectares.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210623-99-106143 / 3
–
