The lion’s share of Peru exports go to the United States (84 percent) with the remainder sent to Europe and China. Mexico exports 93 percent of its asparagus to the United States, but because most supply arrives during the high season, prices are low. Peru exports only 60 percent of Mexico’s volume in the low season, but receives much higher revenue due to timing.
Mexico, however, has increased seasonal supply while Peruvian exporters have been reducing asparagus productions in favor of higher-value products like avocados and blueberries.
China’s production is dominated by white asparagus, representing 65 percent of total harvests, with 90 percent of white asparagus processed into cans or jars for export to Europe; Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and France are major buyers, accounting for close to 80 percent of China’s processed output. China also exports frozen asparagus to Japan and Korea.
But a shift in production, beginning 10 years ago, saw Chinese farmers planting more green asparagus than white, because it is more cost efficient and easier to grow. Chinese consumers are more inclined to eat fresh asparagus than processed, though growers are betting the rising middle and upper classes will buy more fresh asparagus as their purchasing power increases.
