With imports of around 8 million cartons of Mexican asparagus, Calexico, CA-based Altar Produce Inc. is one of the larger importers of “grass” in the United States. It is only adding to that reputation by greatly increasing its presence in the Peruvian asparagus deal this year.

“We have largely been growing Mexican asparagus,” said Chris Ramirez, president of the company, “but this year we are going to pretty much double our volume out of Peru.”

Continuing a partnership that began more than 20 years ago, Maria Bermudez and Patricia Compres launched Advance Customs Brokers & Consulting LLC, based in Miami, FL, in early 2013, and are very happy the way the firm is progressing more than a year later.

Jeff Friedman, president and sales manager of Pompano Beach, FL-based Carb/Americas Inc., seemingly sings the same tune every year as he advocates for good ad pricing that will help increase sales for Peruvian asparagus.

“The United States is the only country where we can move more grass by consumption,” he said. “You can’t do that in Europe, but you can do it in the U.S.”

Miami, FL-based Crystal Valley Foods expects to grow its Peruvian asparagus business at a significantly greater clip than the overall increase in volume this season.

Sourcing Manager Rodolfo Liau Kang anticipates a double-digit increase in sales for the firm, while he thinks overall asparagus exports from Peru will not be that high. But he does expect the South American country to increase its export volume this season.

With the addition of several new growers, as well as larger contracts with existing growers, Tambo Sur LLC of Pompano Beach, FL, expects to increase its Peruvian asparagus imports by a healthy percentage this year.

“We usually do between 600,000 and 700,000 [cartons],” said Fabian Zarate, who serves as the firm’s sales manager. “This year I think we will do 800,000.”

Toward the end of 2013, Customized Brokers implemented a new operating system to add a higher degree of transparency to the customs clearing procedure for its clients.

Nelly Yunta, vice president of the Miami, FL-based customs house, which is owned by Crowley Maritime Corp., said the system is working very well. She said customers can monitor the clearing of their own product in real time and upload documents via the Internet. In essence, she said it has resulted in a more streamlined, efficient and transparent process.