Weather conditions during the middle of 2010 delayed the harvest of asparagus in Peru, leading to an overstock of the product in the U.S., Peru’s principal receiving market, according to a statement from the country’s export association ADEX.

As a result of the overstock, other markets saw a greater share of Peruvian asparagus shipments.

Despite the adjustment the U.S. maintained its position as the top market for asparagus shipments between January and September of this year, receiving some US $144.8 million in exports, or 53% of the total. Spain followed with US$ 42.6 million in exports of asparagus from Peru.

The rest of the exports went to markets such as Japan (108% more than last year), Hong Kong (312% increase), New Zealand (up 567%), Taiwan (161% increase), Norway (508% increase), Panama (188%), Iceland (181%), Guadalupe (408%) and Martinica (250%).

The total value of exported asparagus from January to September grew 11% to reach US $276.8 million, but still has not reached 2008 levels when shipments for the same time period totaled US $303.9 million.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com