Asparagus Output Growing in China

BEIJING - Jan 9/04 - SNS -- Asparagus production appears to be maintaining an upward tendency in China, with a substantial share of each year's output destined for export markets.

"Industry sources indicate the three to five year production outlook depends largely upon China's export market access to developed nations with stringent sanitary import controls," notes the U.S. agricultural attache here in a report on the industry. "Therefore, a concerted effort is being made to improve asparagus sanitary quality and keep asparagus and other vegetable export markets open."

Fresh asparagus exports increased 34% over the last three years from 2000 to 2002 while processed exports increased 20%. In the first 11 months of 2003, however, exports to several European countries are lower as demand for Chinese asparagus appears to be falling.

With less demand, export prices have fallen and will likely be passed along to growers making asparagus production less desirable. As such, many growers may choose to plant other vegetable and horticultural crops with greater marketing potential unless domestic demand increases or China develops, opens, and competes in other export markets with the US, Peru, or other producing nations to make maintaining asparagus fields profitable.

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