Asparagus Profile
By Hayley Boriss and Henrich Brunke, Agricultural Issues Center, University of California.
Revised September 2011 by Diane Huntrods, AgMRC, Iowa State University.
Overview
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) has been grown in the United States since colonial times, but commercial production did not begin until the mid-1800s. Asparagus is a high-value, labor-intensive perennial vegetable crop. Essentially all of the U.S. commercial production occurs in California, Michigan and Washington, and it is harvested primarily from January to June.
Marketing
About 75 percent of the asparagus produced in the United States was intended for fresh-market uses in 2009 (NASS 2009). The remainder of the crop was canned or frozen. Most U.S. fresh-market asparagus production is of the dark green form, with only minimal production of white (blanched) or light green asparagus, which is produced in the absence of sunlight. In addition to blanching, value-added for asparagus includes the processing of asparagus for pickling, which can bring growers a price premium and can be sold in winter months when prices are higher given lower supply (Ohio State University 1993).
Several marketing options are available to small-scale asparagus producers, including direct marketing to local consumers and restaurants (with or without preharvest contracts), and at roadside stands and local farmers' markets. While “you-pick” marketing is not prevalent among asparagus farms, this method can bring growers the highest prices and prevent additional costs that are often incurred when they sell to wholesale markets. Wholesale markets typically have stricter standards in terms of trimming, grading, packing, cooling and handling, which may add cost for growers, and wholesalers are able to dictate prices (Ohio State University 1993). However with pick-your-own, crop damage and losses can be significant, and supervision in the field is required.
Asparagus has been marketed as a good source of folic acid, vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B6, potassium and many micronutrients. In addition, it contains glutathione, thought to protect against cancer, and rutin, which strengthens blood vessels (California Asparagus Commission).
Demand
Per person demand for asparagus has varied over the years. Demand remained steady with the total average consumption of 1.6 pounds for 2010. Consumption of fresh asparagus has continued to increase, comprising 1.4 pounds per person in 2010, while consumption of canned and of frozen asparagus has followed a decreasing trend.
Production
According to statistics from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS), U.S. asparagus acreage has been steadily decreasing, from about 50,000 acres in 2004 to 27,800 acres in 2011, down 1 percent from last year. Asparagus production is forecast at 864,000 cwt in 2011, up 8 percent from the previous year, and the total value reached $96.8 million, up 7 percent from 2010. (NASS 2011)
Fresh production is up 2 percent from 2010, reaching 694,000 cwt, and processed production is up 42 percent, totaling 8,500 tons. Processed production consisted of canned asparagus, which rose 48 percent from last year, reaching 4,600 tons, and frozen asparagus, which rose 34 percent, reaching 3,900 tons. (NASS 2011)
The total value of fresh asparagus production has also increased, rising from $75.8 million in 2009 to $84.0 million in 2011. California produced 72 percent of the fresh asparagus. Michigan and Washington produced the remaining 28 percent of U.S. fresh asparagus as well as all of U.S. asparagus for processing. In 2011, 57 percent of the asparagus grown for processing was canned, while the remainder was frozen. The total value of asparagus for processing was $12.8.0 million, and the total value of canned asparagus was $7.4 million. (NASS 2011)
According to data from the 2007 Census of Agriculture (2009), asparagus was grown on 2,605 farms. Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Washington, New Jersey, New York and Ohio all had more farms in their state than California, which has a total of 115. This fact suggests that production is more concentrated in California than in the preceding states because it harvests the greatest total acreage of any state (20,211), followed by Michigan (12,127), Washington (7,005) and New Jersey (962). In 2007, 31,923 acres of asparagus were harvested for the fresh market while only 11,087 acres were harvested for processing.
The world’s largest producer of asparagus in 2009 was China, followed by Peru and Germany. The United States ranked fifth, preceded by Mexico. (FAO 2011)
Prices
The price for U.S. asparagus has varied over time, especially fresh asparagus prices. In 2011, the average farm price for asparagus was $112 per cwt, down from the previous year. The average farm price for fresh asparagus was $121 per cwt, the same price recorded for fresh asparagus in 2004. Traditionally, the price for asparagus for canning and for freezing is less than that for the fresh market. (NASS 2011)
Exports
The United States is a net importer of asparagus, but in 2010 U.S. fresh asparagus exports totaled $35.4 million, up from the previous year. The leading export market for U.S. fresh asparagus continued to be Canada, which purchased asparagus valued at $14.9 million, an increase from 2009, and accounted for over 40 percent of U.S. shipments. Japan is the second largest buyer of U.S. asparagus, with purchases of $12.3 million, up from 2009. (ERS 2011)
Imports
The value of fresh asparagus imports continues to increase, growing from $176.1 million in 2004 to $418.2 million in 2010, an increase from the previous year. Mexico and Peru continue to provide the bulk of U.S. fresh asparagus imports, together accounting for 99 percent of the imports. (ERS 2011)
Sources
Asparagus, Food and Ag Organization Stat, United Nations, 2007.
Asparagus Production Management and Marketing, Ohio State University Extension, 1993 - Useful and practical information about asparagus production, management and marketing to growers over a wide geographical area across the United States and Canada. It focuses primarily on the northeast, Midwest and southeastern states.
California Asparagus Commission.
Food Availability (per capita) Data System, Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA.
Global Agricultural Trade System (GATS), Foreign Ag Service (FAS), USDA, 2010.
The U.S. and World Situation: Fresh and Processed Asparagus, FAS, USDA, 2007.
Vegetables, National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS), USDA, September 2011.
Vegetables 2010 Summary, NASS, USDA, January 2011.
Vegetables and Melons Yearbook Data, ERS, USDA, May 2011.
Vegetables, Potatoes, and Melons Harvested for Sale: 2007 and 2002, 2007 Census of Agriculture - State Data, NASS, USDA, 2009.
Prepared March 2006 and revised September 2011.
