The Alamo and Asparagus Farmers

The Alamo and Asparagus Farmers Asparagus farmers in Washington State have been facing a fierce battle, and reminiscent of the Alamo, and the odds aren't in their favor. Northwest asparagus growers, along with growers in Michigan and California have suffered dearly for their inability to compete globally on an unfair playing field because canners like Seneca Foods and Del Monte have packed up their bags and moved south to Peru. In what has provided a strategic win for Peru, the country received special treatment from the Andean Trade Preferences act that insured growers who switched from narcotic crops to asparagus a duty free ticket to the United States. Switch they did in droves, but this year Peru has faced it's own demons due to over production of asparagus acreage and high transportation costs. The white knight with the potential to ride in and save the day, could be a mechanical harvester slated to be in commercial production within the next 3 years helping to elevate the cheap labor advantage Peru enjoys over the US. Lets hope the growers can hold off the onslaught from the south until the mechanical cavalry arrives. I'm Susan Allen and this is food forethought. Source: Capital Press Feb 4 2005