"China: "Volume of green asparagus unable to satisfy market demand"

"China is a large country in the global production of asparagus. Production areas are distributed over Xuzhou in Jiangsu, Heze in Shandong, and Chongmingdao in Shanghai. The asparagus that has not come up yet is white, and this vegetable is called white asparagus. After asparagus comes up it turns green, and this vegetable is called green asparagus. The green asparagus receives a relatively warm welcome in overseas markets in comparison with white asparagus. This is because green asparagus has a longer supply period and superior flavor. Furthermore, white asparagus from China does not meet the demands of overseas markets for appearance and flavor." This is according to Liu Hengming of Nantong Hengming Agricultural Development Co., Ltd.

"The surface area devoted to asparagus production in Shanghai is currently more than 1,333 hectares. The production season begins every year in spring and finishes in October. The overall asparagus production volume in Shanghai this year increased in comparison to last year. This is because many asparagus farmers enjoyed a bumper harvest, and also because many farmers responded to strong market demand by expanding their asparagus plantations."

"Even though asparagus production has increased nationwide, the production volume is still not able to satisfy a fast-growing market demand. In the past, only first and second tier cities had demand for large volumes of asparagus. This year, however, many third and fourth tier cities have begun to develop a taste for asparagus as well. This is mainly because many processing factories respond to the increased export of asparagus by increasing their purchase volume."

"We have large-scale asparagus plantations in Chongmingdao, Shanghai. We have both privately owned plantations and plantations owned by co-operations. We predominantly produce green asparagus. Our products are sold through traditional marketing channels, predominantly in wholesale markets and supermarkets in first and second tier cities throughout China."

Liu Hengming