Large volumes of locally produced white asparagus in China have put pressure on the market and caused problems for many Peruvian shippers.

"This year has been very difficult because China has had a very good production of white asparagus, and this has caused prices to fall," Sociedad Agrícola Virú general manager Yoselyn Malamud told www.freshfruitportal.com.

Malamud added that supplies of white asparagus were declining in Peru.

Produce giant Camposol has reportedly decided to stop asparagus production on some farms and instead dedicate them to blueberries.

Around 30% of Peruvian volumes are sold as fresh, with the rest sold in jars with conservatives. The latter generates around US$170 million for the country annually.

While there have been some problems in China this year, Malamud expected the situation to improve over the coming months, with local production in the Asian country set to decline as it goes out of season.

Unlike China, which only produces the vegetable from approximately May through July, Peru can grow white asparagus almost year-round.

Aside from China, Spain and France also represent important markets for Peruvian white asparagus shippers, along with France and Belgium.

"Consumption of white asparagus is stable and strong. It is not growing at double digits because it is not a particularly well-known product," Malamud said.

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