Brandenburg's asparagus season kicks off with high prices and rising challenges
The asparagus season in Brandenburg has officially begun, marked by a festive launch in Beelitz just ahead of Easter. Farmers in the region, known as Germany's largest asparagus-growing area, are preparing for a strong harvest. However, rising costs and competition from cheaper imports are putting pressure on local growers. At the start of the season, asparagus in Brandenburg is selling for €15 to €18 per kilogram. Prices are expected to fall later, settling around €10 to €12 per kilogram as supply increases. Jürgen Jakobs, chair of the Beelitz Asparagus Association, predicts high demand from customers this year.
Farmers face growing financial challenges. The surge in diesel prices alone adds an extra €5,000 in costs every ten days for Jakobs' farm. Higher energy expenses, driven by geopolitical factors, have also pushed up production costs. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) highlighted these issues while stressing the need to support regional produce. Labour costs have risen too, partly due to Germany's minimum wage increase. Asparagus farming relies heavily on manual work, often carried out by foreign seasonal workers. Supermarket chains add further pressure by demanding lower prices from farmers. In 2025, Brandenburg harvested nearly 19,000 tons of asparagus. Yet local growers must compete with cheaper imports from Spain, Mexico, and Greece. No recent data exists on how asparagus cultivation areas in the region have changed over the past five years.
The season's opening brings both optimism and challenges for Brandenburg's asparagus farmers. While a good harvest is expected, higher costs and supermarket pricing demands could squeeze profits. The coming months will show how local producers balance demand with financial pressures.
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