Austrian asparagus growers are starting the harvest two to three weeks earlier than usual this year, making a historically early start. The reason is the relatively high soil temperature, due to which the plants have recently found ideal growing conditions.
If the weather remains stable and warm, Austrian asparagus will reach supermarkets at the beginning of April and therefore earlier than in the past, according to the chairman of the Chamber of Agriculture (LKÖ), Josef Moosbrugger.
Currently, you can only find imported “ready-to-eat” goods that are less fresh and produced under poorer production and social standards. Buying local products also protects the climate. “It is therefore worthwhile to invest because of the lower additional costs.”
In 2023, a total of 2,300 tons of asparagus were brought in
In this country, asparagus is mainly grown in Marchfeld in Lower Austria. However, the approximately 760 hectares of agricultural land now extends as far as Vorarlberg.
In Austria, 127 companies produce green or purple asparagus, while 82 companies will soon harvest white asparagus. The cultivated area has changed only slightly compared to last year, but this year the harvest volume is likely to be higher. In 2023, the harvest yielded almost 2,300 tons of asparagus.
Additional wage costs lead to distortion of competition
However, companies are concerned about additional wage costs, Moosbrugger notes. “Domestic vegetable farms have suffered from high indirect labor costs for years, leading to enormous competitive distortions compared to neighboring countries.”
Inflation has made the situation even worse. “The disadvantages that Austrian companies face in terms of indirect labor costs must be addressed and eliminated by the next government program at the latest.”
Source: Krone
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