Asparagus season despite Niklas and Bodenfrost

Bavaria: Bad weather makes asparagus grow only hesitantly

09/04/2015

The asparagus season starts this year somewhat delayed. The unfavorable weather conditions - ground frost and storm Niklas - are slowing down the growth of popular vegetables. Only in two weeks should be expected in Bavaria with a larger harvest, explains Hans Höfler, chairman of the asparagus producer association Franconia, in an interview with the news agency „dpa“. Consumers must also adjust to higher asparagus prices due to the collective wage for harvest workers.

Cool temperatures have a negative effect on the asparagus harvest
The cold makes the asparagus grow slowly. Consumers would have to wait about two more weeks to expect a lavish asparagus harvest, according to Höfler. Asparagus Queen Miriam Adel and Agriculture Minister Helmut Brunner (CSU) were able to sting the first outdoor poles at the opening of the Bavarian asparagus season 2015.

The asparagus needs a sun-warmed soil for optimal growing conditions. The current nocturnal ground frost, on the other hand, has a counterproductive effect. „However, we now need tropical warmth so that there are larger amounts of asparagus in the short term, "Höfler continues, declaring that the opening of the asparagus season decided to postpone the opening of the asparagus season by one week due to the cool temperatures and low harvest.

In addition to the unfavorable weather, many farmers and consumers are worried about the rising prices for asparagus. These are mainly justified by rising labor costs. Although farmers do not have to pay their harvest workers a minimum wage, a collective wage applies. In 2015, farmers have to pay their helpers about 7.40 euros per hour, in the coming year even 8.50 euros. The Bavarian Farmers Association therefore expects an increase in the price of asparagus.

Asparagus fresh from the region
The asparagus is one „Prime example of a regional and seasonal product, "said Minister of Agriculture Brunner at the opening of the asparagus season to the news agency.In Bavaria, the freshness and quality of the vegetables could be well ensured due to the short distances from the field to the consumer.

In Bavaria, asparagus is cultivated on an area of ​​2,500 hectares, making it the most important vegetable in terms of surface area, ahead of onions and cucumbers. The largest growing region is the area around Schrobenhausen. On average, 6.2 tons of asparagus per hectare were harvested last year, which was a record of 15,226 tons.