Despite FTA, Peru asparagus not price competitive in China, USDA says

Despite the implementation of Free Trad Agreement (FTA) and zero duty for Peru's asparagus in March 2010 the going market price for the product puts it out of reach for most, according to a report on China's asparagus industry by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

According to the report transportation costs within China are mostly to blame for the high price in both Peruvian and Thai imported asparagus.

The opportunity for imports are limited almost exclusively to low production windows outside China s April to August harvest.

China's consumption of asparagus has been growing as more western food is served both for locals and it's growing expat community. The consumption of fresh asparagus has also started to reduce its dependence on the canned product, the report added.