|
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Domestic Market With its temperate - subtropical climate and a cool winter, Australia is well suited to growing asparagus. The majority of the plantings are found in Victoria, with smaller plantings in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. 60% of the asparagus produced in Australia is sold fresh on the domestic market. Asparagus produced in the Koo Weep Rup and Dalmore area of Victoria (located 65 kms south-east of Melbourne) accounts for more than 93% of Australia’s total asparagus production so it’s no wonder this area has been fondly named “Asparagus Country”. Asparagus from this region has earned an enviable reputation for being 100% clean, green and safe and its luscious eating quality is esteemed on both domestic and global markets. As recently the early 2000’s Australians recently considered asparagus a “gourmet” vegetable and a delicacy to be eaten on special occasions rather than for every day meals. Today asparagus remains loved by chefs and gourmands for its versatility, unique herbaceous flavour and distinctive shape. Asparagus has now become firmly implanted in the repertoires of home cooks and families who are now enjoying for everyday family recipes from the backyard BBQ to stir-fries, soups and salads. Whilst past growth and development of the Australian asparagus industry has been due to healthy export markets, in 2002 the industry embraced the opportunity to expanding the domestic market. Since then apparent domestic consumption has subsequently increased due to the increased availability of asparagus on the domestic market, increased accessibility at retail level, increased marketing and promotions activities and increased demand for healthy foods. However, there is plenty of room for increasing consumption of asparagus. Annual per capita consumption of fresh asparagus in Australia is relatively low, broadly estimated at about 416g compared to consumption of fresh asparagus in *Switzerland at about 1.5 kg and *Germany at about 1.2 kg per capita per annum (*2008 World Asparagus Report). In Australia, green asparagus is the dominant variety grown, with some white asparagus and a very limited amount of purple asparagus during November. For the remainder of the year, availability of imported asparagus comes from Peru, Thailand, Mexico and USA. Asparagus is marketed through Central Wholesale Markets in all states of Australia and also marketed direct to supermarkets and the foodservice market. |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Back | Home | About Asparagus | Recipes & Tips | What's New | From the Chefs | Supplying Asparagus | Contact us | Site Map Copyright© Australian Asparagus Council. Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that the information on this website is correct and up to date, no representation is made or warranty given (either express or implied) as to the completeness, accuracy or currency of the information that it contains. Last updated October 2009 | |
 | |