Brandenburg's asparagus farmers battle rising costs amid harvest season
The asparagus season has begun in Brandenburg, with farmers in the Beelitz region kicking off this year's harvest. However, growers are facing rising costs and stiff competition from cheaper imports, raising concerns about profitability in the coming months. Brandenburg's asparagus fields, once covering 4,000 hectares, have shrunk in recent years. Despite this, farmers remain optimistic about a strong harvest in 2025, following last year's yield of nearly 19,000 tons. Yet, challenges are mounting.
Higher diesel prices, driven by geopolitical tensions including the Iran conflict, have pushed up production costs. The recent minimum wage increase has also added to labour expenses, squeezing profit margins further. Many growers fear they won't be able to raise prices enough to cover these extra costs. At the start of the season, asparagus is selling for €15–18 per kilogram. Prices are expected to fall to around €10–12 as supply grows. But competition from cheaper imports—particularly from Spain, Mexico, and Greece—is making it harder for local farmers to compete.
With costs rising and foreign competition intensifying, Brandenburg's asparagus farmers face an uncertain season. While a good harvest is forecast, the pressure to keep prices competitive may limit their ability to recover higher expenses.
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