“Rare and in Demand: Ruffey Asparagus Production Divided by 3 in Côte-d’Or, France”

Local asparagus is rare in Côte-d’Or in April. The fault is too cold temperatures which drastically reduce its production, but asparagus remains a very famous product within the territory.

As soon as spring arrives, it is always in high demand on the stalls. But at the end of April, the local asparagus is being desired. On average between 10 and 16 euros per kiloonly a handful of vendors offer Ruffey asparagus in the Halles de Dijon.

A product that is long overdue, but the clientele is patient.“It’s the start of the season, so we’ll wait a bit for prices to come down.” “We had to hurry because they are rare this year, I did what was necessary to supply myself.they say.

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Blame it on a very timid start to the season in the Côte d’Or. Asparagus would need soil at 12°C to grow. Temperatures that were rarely reached during the month of February.

For 15 days, Jean-Michel Jacotot have been seeing his daily production divided by three. Unheard of in ten years of activity. “It’s a late year. We are waiting for the heat. I have never picked so late and so little. It’s hard to keep up with demand.”

We take out 30kg instead of 100kg of asparagus per day.

Jean Michel Jacotot

market gardener

With 60 kg harvested the day before, market gardener Pierrick Maître is having a hard time satisfying his customers at the Halles de Dijon. “We have a very present demand but a relatively reduced production. The previous day’s harvest is sold the same morning on the site. It’s a year that we don’t like to have with such a late production”he admits.

However, Ruffey asparagus remains a recognized dish within the territory. “It is a product that has had a reputation for years within the Dijon community. Ruffey asparagus has been grown in the town for years. There are fewer and fewer producers but still a lot of demand”he assures.

By the weekend, temperatures are expected to rise. Enough to allow asparagus to finally point the tip of their nose.