A colorful season: changing trends in the European asparagus market

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 05. 07. 11:44

The 2024 asparagus season also confirmed that one of Europe’s most popular spring vegetables is shaped by numerous challenges and opportunities that vary from country to country. Although Germany still accounts for more than a third of the continent’s production, the willingness to grow and the harvested quantity have been decreasing there for years. Meanwhile, in Spain, the sector has a positive outlook despite the unfavorable weather, while in Hungary, the value of exports is increasing despite the shrinking cultivation area – writes Agrárszektor.

Declining German production, rising prices

According to the latest data from Eurostat, the European Union’s asparagus harvest reached 305 thousand tons in 2024. Germany accounted for 35% of this, with 108 thousand tons. According to data from the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), asparagus was grown on 19.7 thousand hectares, which is 3% less than last year and already 17% below the record year of 2018. The reduced supply also affected prices: white asparagus was sold at 8.56 euros/kg, an 18% increase, while green asparagus prices were flat at around 9.54 euros/kg.

Spanish growth after rain

The asparagus season in Spain started late due to an unusually wet spring, but the 35,000-ton harvest expected in the province of Granada could be 10-15% higher than last year. 60% of the country’s production comes from there, and this year’s harvest is expected to be 19.9 thousand tons, a 15% increase compared to 2023.

Trade in Western Europe is subdued

In the EU’s internal trade, several major exporters have reduced their asparagus shipments this year: the Netherlands reduced its exports by 7% and Italy by 20%. At the same time, the EU imported 24.5 thousand tonnes of asparagus from third countries, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year. The largest supplier remained Peru, with 15.7 thousand tonnes.