Asparagus importers preparing for peak volume

The Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association says it members are preparing for their peak season with proactive planning and strategic marketing.

“In today’s marketplace, asparagus trade can only prevail through forethought and strategic planning,” Priscilla Lleras, PAIA executive director, said in a news release. “Experience and information are foundational key essentials to persevering in today’s economy.”

PAIA importers are expecting an improvement in volumes for the October through December 2024 Peruvian asparagus season, according to the release.

“It will be a good time for retailers to plan additional promotional programs that will increase asparagus per capita consumption,” Carlos Solf of Florida-based Southern Specialties and co-chairman of PAIA said in the release. “Promotions increase revenue at store level; however, they lack sustainable long-term impact that would cause repeat buyers. If we can find ways to educate consumers on the benefits of asparagus, now that would be good for the industry.”

PAIA is expecting favorable weather for the 2024-25 season. Asparagus imports and production from both Peru and Mexico have undergone a volume decline in 2023 mostly due to weather factors, the release said.

“After last year’s El Niño, ‘perfect storm’ that impacted production and logistics in Peru, we are certainly looking forward to steady supply and growth in volume by the end of this year,” Lleras said.

At PortMiami, fruits and vegetables represent the top overall commodity group in fiscal year 2023, representing almost 115,000 20-foot equivalent units, PAIA said. Fruits and vegetables have surpassed apparel as the top commodity group, and the majority of fruits and vegetables come from Latin America, according to the release.

Peru, a key market for PortMiami, is the seventh-largest trading partner overall and fourth in Latin America FY 2023, representing 31,196 20-foot equivalent units with a value of goods of over $1.84 million, the release said.

“PortMiami’s top import commodity group from Peru is fruits and vegetables, representing 75% of the country’s imports, and with fresh asparagus ranked number one, accounting for over forty-five percent of perishable imports,” said Eric Olafson, director of global trade and business development.

As the economywide food price growth has somewhat started to stabilize, the food industry forecasts that consumers are still looking for ways to maximize their budgets and bring nutritional benefits to their family meals, according to the release.

“When retailers continue to shelve large displays of asparagus 365, offering cross-merchandising options and varying stock keeping units (SKUs), they are not only assisting in increasing demand for asparagus but optimizing their revenue, providing their consumers with meal solutions and increasing sales potential 365,” Craig Rolandelli, of California-based Jacob Malcom & Burtt and co-chairman of PAIA, said in the release.

PAIA says it assists in the trade of supplying U.S. consumers with asparagus on retailer shelves. To find out more information about PAIA, please see their website at: peruvianasparagusimportersassociation.com.