This year the vegetation in Upper Austria is two to three weeks ahead. This also has consequences for the food offered in the cafes. The asparagus arrived on the plate almost too early. There are plenty of harvest workers, even if Ukrainian men are missing.
“The asparagus is just enough for us at Easter. But we are not angry at all,” says Rudolf Mühlberghuber from Ansfelden, looking at the early start of the season. There must be enough “sticks” for sale in the week after Easter. “The innkeepers currently still have wild garlic on the menu, otherwise it would have been nothing. The asparagus therefore seamlessly follows the wild garlic,” jokes the farmer, who is also looking to the future: “If it starts so quickly, we will probably stop earlier.” The early start of the harvest also helps the approximately twenty asparagus farmers in Opper -Austria, to defend itself against imported goods already being placed on the market.
Strawberries are already sprouting
The situation is similar for the approximately 70 strawberry growers in our state: their spokesperson Andreas Hoffelner from Kremsmünster expects the first deliveries at the end of April and the beginning of May, but “the fields will be opened for self-picking later.”
It should not be too cold
It may be hard to believe given the current temperatures, but ‘Father Frost’ could still ruin those plans. “Minus two degrees is enough, asparagus cannot withstand that,” says Rudolf Mühlberghuber, and in strawberries the flowering, which is expected quickly in the early varieties, is jeopardized at temperatures below freezing. And without flowers there are no berries.
No labor shortage
On the other hand, the sword of Damocles has been defused this year: “There are enough harvest workers there,” says Stefan Hamedinger, vegetable growing expert from the Upper Austria region. Chamber of Agriculture. “There are many women coming from Ukraine, but there is a huge shortage of men, especially in jobs that require a lot of strength.” The problem is that in Germany or South Tyrol the additional wage costs for seasonal workers have been suspended or significantly reduced: “We stand “We compete directly with the large retail groups, where our goods are more expensive.”
Your own fault! For me it’s the same every year: the joy of seeing the first strawberries and asparagus on the shelf makes me want to buy them. Then comes the disappointment: it doesn’t taste like anything. He also comes from somewhere and has already traveled halfway around the world.
So take it by the nose! Seasonal products are called that for a reason and taste best when they grow here. Then she is fresh and from the field around the corner. It’s common knowledge that anticipation is the greatest joy, so why dilute it in the most culinary sense? So you better eat wild garlic again, because the season is almost over.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
