The asparagus season started in Germany. The kilo at the start of the season now costs up to 20 euros. Increasing wage costs could continue to drive up the price.
White tips that look out of the earth are ready to be harvested – the asparagus season has also started in Gittrup in Münsterland. Asparagus farmer Stephan Bäcker calls it the “luxury vegetable”. The asparagus currently costs between ten and 20 euros per kilo, depending on the quality and thickness of the poles.
This is a just -ended price, says the farmer, who is also not higher than a year ago. “There is so much manual work in it, every bar is stung by hand and packed by hand.” This is reflected in the price, especially early in the season, if there is not so much goods available.
Good quality expected
Due to the warm March this year, they are five days earlier with the harvest than usual. Stephan Bäcker is not troubled by the lack of rain, and there is still enough water in the deep layers of the soil. This is confident that he is able to offer very good quality this year at stable prices. Bäcker markets his asparagus mainly in direct sales – in his own farm shop, but also in 25 sales huts and stands around Münster and at weekly markets.
Farmer Stephan Bäcker on one of his asparagus fields. He is confident that this year's asparagus will be of good quality.
80 percent of the asparagus that is sold in Germany is also grown here. This means that the level of self -care for asparagus is above average, according to the German Farmers' Association. But many farmers are building uphousing space. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the harvest of asparagus in 2024 was around 108,100 tons, which is the lowest value of the past ten years.
Competitive pressure adds
The kilo price for German asparagus has risen sharply in the last decade, according to Spargelstrasse NRW. This reduces the competitiveness of German asparagus farmers, especially in the food retail trade.
Goods from Spain or Greece is cheaper because the wage and production costs are lower there, and are primarily bought by supermarkets. With the increase in the minimum wage from 13 to 15 euros, as stipulated in the coalition agreement, according to the German Farmers' Association, the international competitive ability of the German Spargeland hosts will continue to decrease.
Rising prices expected
In fact, wages are the largest cost factor in asparagus cultivation. Stephan Bäcker employs up to 150 seasonal workers in May, when harvest is highest, which mainly come from Romania, Ukraine and Poland. He will have to put on the higher minimum wage to the asparagus price.
“This is minimum two to 2.50 euros per kilo on top,” he estimates. Bäcker has already driven back surface and delivers less to supermarkets. Nevertheless, he is convinced that he will continue to find customers for his goods. Because if you buy directly from him, quality and freshness are more important than the price.
