asparagus

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Asparagus, strawberry and onion production down this year in the US

The United States asparagus crop will be down 8% on last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Figures released on September 4 also show that strawberry production faces a 4% drop and that of onions 5% compared to that of 2014.

The United States asparagus crop will be down 8% on last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Figures released on September 4 also show that strawberry production faces a 4% drop and that of onions 5% compared to that of 2014.

Asparagus

Production of the 2015 asparagus crop is forecast at 685,000 cwt, down 8% on 2014. Area harvested, at 23,500 acres, is down 1%. Total value of the crop, at US $75.7 million, is up 3% from 2014. Fresh production of 530,000 cwt is down 7% on a year ago.

souce. NASS

Strawberries

Strawberry production in the US is forecast at 31.1 million cwt, up 4% from 2014. Area harvested, at 52,800 acres, is down 2%
from last year. Strawberry yield is forecast at 588 cwt per acre, up 37 cwt from 2014.

“In California, warm weather led to an earlier harvest. While the drought has impacted plant growth, production and quality
were reported to be good,” the NASS report said.

Onions

Production of the 2015 onion crop is forecast at 69.1 million cwt, down 5% from 2014. Onion growers expect to harvest 133,350 acres in 2015, down 4% from last year. Spring onion growers intend to harvest 21,900 acres, down 18% from last season.

Summer, non-storage onion growers expect to harvest 18,800 acres, down 2% from a year ago, while summer storage onion growers plan to harvest 92,650 acres in 2015, down 1% from last season.

The final tally of 2014 storage onion production is 55.7 million cwt, up 10% from 2013. The 2014 storage crop is valued at $566 million, an increase of 2% from 2013, NASS said.

 

 

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The new purple asparagus variety Burgundine being trialled in UK

Sales of a new variety of asparagus that can also be eaten raw is being trialled by Tesco in the UK.

Tesco is trialling sales in in the UK of a new variety of asparagus – Burgundine – that can cooked or eaten raw.

In a press release, the supermarket chain said Burgundine is a purple and green cross and has been grown in Thornham, north Norfolk, specifically as a new salad crop. It could prove popular with office workers looking for a healthy lunchtime snack, it said.

The variety can be eaten raw after being washed because it contains slightly less lignim, the fibre element in asparagus. “The great thing about Burgundine asparagus is its versatility because it can be eaten both raw and also gently steamed or stir fried,” said Tesco produce buyer James Strathdee. “It is an eye-catching variety that is exceptionally sweet, juicy, crunchy and great for eating with dips and in salads.”

The British Asparagus season usually lasts from St George’s Day on April 21 until Midsummer’s Day on June 21, Tesco said. 

It said its finest Burgundine salad asparagus would on sale in 102 Tesco stores at £2 for 100g.

 

Source: Tesco press release

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Morrisons says Britain set for best asparagus crop in a decade

640px-Green_Asparagus_New_York_11_May_2006

Britain could have its best crop of outdoor grown asparagus in nearly ten years, Morrisons vegetable buyers have predicted.

In a press release, the UK retailer said intelligence on growing conditions from its farmers, and a forecast three month heat wave, would mean 2015’s asparagus crop could increase by up to 20%.

“Growing conditions look like they are going to be perfect,” said Morrisons asparagus buyer David Bartle. “The good weather will not only affect the amount of asparagus grown but also the quality of the crop. We could have the most exceptional year since 2007.”

Morrisons asparagus crop will arrive in store on 27 April. Most of the crop will originate from the supermarket’s outdoor growers in the Vale of Evesham and Kent.

The exceptionally warm growing conditions augur well for tender spears with tight heads which will taste sweet and fresh, the company said.

Read more.

Image: “Green Asparagus New York 11 May 2006” by Ryan Freisling. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons