Asparagus Update

Charlie Eagle, Marketing and Business Development, Southern Specialties

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During the course of the season we harvest from both the Southern and Northern areas of Peru as well as Central Mexico in the Obregon and Caborca regions. We are harvesting all varieties: Green, white and purple. The green and white are supplied year round and the purple asparagus is, at present, winding down and we will pick it up again in the Fall. Retailers should know that the market has been somewhat volatile and they are probably best served staying in close communication with us as a distributor. It helps with category management so that ads can be promoted at the best possible time.

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Julia Inestroza, Marketing Director, Gourmet Trading Co.

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Currently we are harvesting in Central Mexico. We are just beginning our harvest of green asparagus in Ica Peru. We have continued to harvest white asparagus year round in the North of Peru. Central Mexico has very steady production as does Peru and as two seasons merge together, we will have the peak of production in September time frame. We have availability of peeled white asparagus year round and we have seen that, that has been a great addition to retailers product mixes. Its allows consumers to try what is various without having to peel it, which takes a lot of the prep work out of it. We have seen that, that really can, along with the bagged green asparagus program, really enhance sales.

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