This year’s Brandenburg asparagus season has so far been disastrous from the farmers’ point of view. “After two years of Corona, we started optimistically,” said Jürgen Jakobs, chairman of the Beelitz asparagus association, on Saturday. Initially, however, imported goods took the place of regional asparagus in the supermarkets. The Ukraine war also led to reluctance to buy and less demand, colleagues reported to him, said Jakobs. It is hoped that business will pick up a bit for the forthcoming Pentecost festival. Traditionally, the last asparagus of the year is cut on St. John’s Day on June 24th.
A significant reduction in acreage is expected, Jakobs told the “Märkische Allgemeine”. In Beelitz, 20 percent of the areas were removed from processing this season, and 50 percent in the Spreewald.
According to the Horticultural Association, asparagus is currently growing on almost 3,900 hectares in Brandenburg. Jakobs expects that 2,500 hectares could remain in the long term. According to him, a number of companies are planning to switch to other crops such as grain or are considering building solar systems on the land.
Last year, 21,100 tons of white spears were harvested. According to initial surveys of asparagus farmers, it could be 15 to 20 percent less this season, said Jakobs. (dpa)
