Asparagus harvest in MV: Good quality, but high costs are putting pressure on businesses

Asparagus harvest in MV: Good quality, but high costs are putting pressure on businesses

The 2025 asparagus season in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is coming to an end. On June 24th, the gates close for the harvest of the delicious tubers that have characterized the region for years. The SaBö family business in Nantrow and Tieplitz, with an impressive cultivation area of ​​60 hectares, can report a successful harvest. However, operator Sebastian Böckmann also expresses concern about the economic challenges that plague many farmers.

In recent years, however, the area under asparagus cultivation in the region has decreased dramatically. Instead of the 182 hectares from six years ago, there are now just under 140 hectares, which represents a remarkable regression. The reasons for this are varied, but are mainly due to rising production and personnel costs as well as the dependence on harvest helpers from abroad. “We hardly have any workers left in this country,” explains Böckmann, who relies on support from Eastern Europe.

Economic challenges

Prices for asparagus are currently up to 15 euros per kilo, almost at the same level as last year. But even if the quality of the harvest is good, many companies suffer from financial burdens. High production input and energy costs are affecting farmers. As the Ministry of Agriculture in Schwerin confirms, companies that supply food retailers are particularly affected by this situation. Retailers often pay far less than is necessary for economic production.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Till Backhaus is optimistic and highlights the health benefits of asparagus. Despite the economic challenges, he encourages consumers to buy local asparagus to support businesses. This is also necessary because the population is reluctant to consume. In 2024, households only purchased 1.23 kg of German bleached asparagus, which represents a decrease of 7 percent compared to the previous year.

Worker problems and minimum wage

Another problem is the upcoming minimum wage of 15 euros per hour from 2026, which could further aggravate the situation for asparagus farmers. The industry is already calling for exceptions to the minimum wage, especially for labor-intensive vegetable growing. Some companies in the region have pulled the ripcord and greatly reduced or completely abandoned asparagus cultivation. There are currently 14 active asparagus farms in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, compared to 19 four years ago.

The harvest itself continues to be handcrafted, as machines can damage the delicate asparagus spears. Farmers like Böckmann are therefore calling for political measures to improve production conditions in order to stop the decline in cultivated areas.

On Monday Dr. Backhaus, together with District Administrator Sebastian Constien, presented the first asparagus at the SaBö farm in Gülzow-Prüzen, which, despite all the challenges, cast a positive light on the season. With an average yield of 5.0 tons per hectare, the 2024 harvest has increased slightly compared to the previous year, but producers are under great pressure.

In recent years, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has established itself as one of the smaller asparagus growing regions in Germany. While more than 4,000 hectares are cultivated in the neighboring federal state of Lower Saxony, asparagus cultivation in MV remains comparatively small. Nevertheless, the harvest is valued here and the SaBö farm remains an important player in regional agriculture.

Ultimately, the asparagus season is not only a highlight in the region, but also a reflection of the challenges that local agriculture faces. It remains to be hoped that politicians will hear the voice of the companies and take measures to sustainably promote asparagus cultivation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

For further information, read the reports from NDR, Müritzportal and Nordkurier: NDR, Müritz portal, Northern Courier.