Tholen – The first asparagus from the open ground have been harvested and they actually arrive just in time for Easter, says Katrien De Backer, whose parents run the Amelinckx fruit company together with her uncle Jos Amelinckx and who also works in the fruit and vegetable trade. “The asparagus from the greenhouses is still in full swing. This, in combination with the limited volumes from the open ground, ensures that there is no peak in the price at the moment, which is why restaurants also want to start with it,” she explains.
White asparagus ridges
The cultivation company from Hingene in Flanders was able to harvest its first asparagus on March 20. “Exceptionally early,” Katrien assures. “I have delved into the history, but it has happened once before that we have harvested from pure open ground. 26 years ago we were able to plant the first asparagus on March 19, and we made the newspaper then. That is still 1 day away. earlier than now, but it remains unique, which also falls ideally at early Easter this year. In the run-up to Easter is the moment that restaurants decide that they want it on the menu.”
“The earlier Easter, the longer the season,” Katrien continues. “If Easter falls a month later, people also wait a month longer before purchasing asparagus. Then the demand is considerably less in the first month. In addition, you now have the advantage that people do not have to work with extreme prices at €22. If the purchase price becomes too expensive, the menu is no longer interesting, because the consumer does not want to pay for it. Now we work with acceptable prices.”
“This is mainly due to the fact that there are enough volumes on the market due to the combination of greenhouse and open ground cultivation. However, it is still not 20 degrees, which means that the volumes from open ground are still limited. These are exactly nice volumes. that everyone can work with. We see this not only with the traditional white ‘queen’, but also with green asparagus. These have become increasingly popular in recent years as fast food among young people. You don’t have to peel them, but can only be grilled. That makes them very popular, especially in these times.”
First green asparagus of 2024
“In addition, the quality is also beautiful. Asparagus consists of 98 percent moisture, so if they can extract enough moisture, which there has been enough in the past period, you have delicious asparagus. If they are too dry, you can still may come across a fiber once in a while, but that won’t be a problem with the new harvest.”
Early cherries
In addition to asparagus cultivation, the company also has cherries, which are also heading for an early harvest. The company grows eight different varieties: Nimba, Samba pollinator, Kordia, Merchant Noire, Areko, Carmen, Starblush ‘Wittebuik’ and Papillon ‘Wittebuik’. “The first trees are already in bloom. We are now about 14 days ahead of last year. It is actually quite strange, because we had a very dark and wet winter, but they are still faster than in a dry winter. winter. I cannot explain it. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that there have been few extremely cold days, but only light frost. It remains to be seen whether it will not freeze. This week, for example, it was around here It was 0 degrees and the windows of the cars were frozen. That can still cause some inconvenience, but once the fruit has set, the presence of frost is no longer a problem.”
And so the company is looking at a harvest around the third week of May. “We have of course also consciously chosen early varieties, such as Nimba. These are now nicely protected and for the time being we keep the temperatures in the greenhouse for as long as possible. We also ensure that the trees remain nice and moist during flowering. So we spray them. also regularly, so that the pollen sticks to the bees to achieve optimal fertilization. If we can achieve that, we will be off to a good start around the third week of May.”
Cherry blossom
There is also another reason why fruit company Amelinckx is enthusiastic about the early flowering of the trees. “Everyone is always curious about the latest blossom. Not only in Hingene, but in the heart of Limburg, the fruit region, the pears are already 40 percent open and the apple blossoms are also ready to bud. This is ideal for the Easter holidays that start on Monday. It looks beautiful and is also a nice way for tourism to receive people in the orchards. We invite everyone; the more the merrier. holiday in our own country. Nothing is more fun. A lot can still happen, but we seem to be able to start early again,” Katrien concludes.
For more information:
Amelinckx Asparagus & Fruit
Koningin Astridlaan 171
2880 Hingene, Belgium
+32(0)475 26 99 15
[email protected]
www.topasperges.com
https://www.facebook.com/topasperges
Tags: convergence greenhouse asparagus early field supply ensures acceptable prices Easter
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