Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board

MAAB

acts about Michigan Asparagus Industry

Michigan ranks third in the nation for Asparagus production producing up to 25 million pounds annually.

Oceana County, around Hart and Shelby, is the area with the greatest volume of production but there is also substantial production in SW Michigan between South Haven and Benton Harbor.

Michigan growers harvest approximately 11,000 acres of asparagus annually.

The average yield for Michigan asparagus growers is 2,100 pounds per acre but plantings of newer hybrid varieties have been harvested at up to 3,000 pounds per acre.

25% of the harvest is sold as fresh asparagus in the vegetable section of the grocery store or at a roadside market.

Of the 75% of the crop sold to processors, 38% will be frozen as cuts & tips or spears and 62% will be canned as cuts & tips or spears.

The total annual value of the Michigan asparagus crop is estimated at $15,000,000.