It should be an interesting year for Peruvian asparagus imports into the United States as there are several challenges affecting volume that will alter the deal depending on how they play out. At least that was the view of Walter Yager, CEO of Alpine Fresh Inc., a company he co-founded almost 35 years ago.

“Overall, there is less acreage — that should mean less products, but it might not impact the fresh market,” he said.

Southern Specialties continues to increase its asparagus footprint as it is expecting a significant increase in volume over the next year from its multiple sources of origin.

Rising costs, logistics issues and a challenging ROI situation may reduce total Peruvian asparagus imports to the United States, but Square One Farms President Tim Ryan still expects ample supplies to handle fall and holiday promotions.

During the first pandemic year of 2020, U.S. consumers increased their per capita consumption of asparagus by 4 percent, with all that increase, and then some, coming from fresh channels.

For 2020, the last year for which total consumption statistics are available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, per capita consumption in the United States increased to just shy of two pounds at 1.98 pounds. “Per capita consumption is still increasing,” said Priscilla Lleras, director of the Peruvian Asparagus Importers Association.

Seven Seas, which is a member of the Tom Lange Family of Cos., is anticipating a 20 percent growth in its Peruvian asparagus imports this season.

Veteran produce salesman Tracy Wood joined the company five years ago and continues to help grow the imported asparagus program from both Peru and Mexico. He noted the company sources from both countries of origin with Peru supplies typically occupying the space from mid-April to mid-January and Mexico asparagus dominating sales from mid-January well into spring.

It will be 10 years in April since colleagues Patricia Compres and Maria Bermudez used their experience clearing agricultural products through customs to launch Advance Customs Brokers & Consulting LLC with its office in Miami.

Today the company still operates out of Miam but clears freight throughout the country.

“We’re continuing to grow every year,” said Bermudez.

“In the past year we have grown 10-12 percent,” said Compres, noting the company’s business has more than doubled since they started.