This commodity profile was rendered from
knowledge.domain = commodity, key = asparagus(GDF v2.0, 3032 attributes, 28 sections).Renderer:
commodity_profile_rendererv1.0.0. Source row version:knowledge_forge_gdf_v2.0_export_2026-04-06.
Identity & Botany
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Canonical name | Asparagus |
| Scientific name | Asparagus officinalis |
| Family / Genus | Asparagaceae / Asparagus |
| Produce category | Other |
| Produce subcategory | Stem Vegetable |
| FSMA 204 covered? | No |
| PLU — conventional | 4080 |
| PLU — organic | 94080 |
| AGROVOC URI | c_721 |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s01_identity. External: FAO AGROVOC.
Varieties
Estimated commercial varieties: 150.
| Variety | Market share | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jersey Giant | 25% | All-male hybrid, high yields, excellent spear quality, disease resistant (rust and fusarium), vigorous growth, deep green color with tight purple tips |
| Jersey Knight | 20% | All-male hybrid, exceptional disease tolerance (fusarium, rust, crown rot), very high yields, thick uniform spears, dark green with purple bracts |
| UC 157 | 15% | California-developed hybrid, heat tolerant, consistent production, medium-green spears, adapted to warmer climates, predominantly male |
| Jersey Supreme | 12% | All-male hybrid, superior rust resistance, very productive, large diameter spears, extended harvest period, cold hardy |
| Apollo | 10% | All-male European hybrid, early season production, uniform thick spears, excellent tip quality, deep green color, cold tolerant |
| Purple Passion | 5% | Purple-colored spears (turns green when cooked), sweeter flavor, higher sugar content, tender texture, specialty/premium market variety |
| Mary Washington | 4% | Historic open-pollinated variety, rust resistant, reliable producer, medium-green spears, mixed male/female plants, heritage market appeal |
| Atlas | 4% | All-male hybrid, very large uniform spears, excellent commercial quality, high productivity, disease resistant, European origin |
| Grande | 3% | All-male hybrid, extra-large diameter spears, excellent for processing and fresh market, high uniformity, extended shelf life |
| Precoce d’Argenteuil | 2% | French heirloom white asparagus variety, thick spears, mild flavor, grown underground for blanching, specialty European markets |
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s04_varieties.variety_summaries.
Post-Harvest Handling
Temperature
- Chilling injury threshold: null°F.
- Freezing point: 30.9°F. Hard limit.
- Handling urgency: 5 / 5.
Ethylene
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Production class | very_low |
| Production rate (20°C) | 0.5 μL/kg·h typical (0.1–1) |
| Sensitivity class | low |
| Sensitivity threshold | 10 ppm |
| Climacteric? | No |
Agent note: Asparagus produces minimal ethylene and has low sensitivity to ethylene exposure. Primary concern is rapid senescence due to high respiration rate rather than ethylene effects.
Mixed-load compatibility
group_1_high_moisture_vegetables
Operational flags
- Can be top-iced? Yes
- Light-sensitive? Yes
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s07_harvest_post_harvest.
Market Intelligence
Demand
Steady to growing demand driven by health consciousness and premium positioning. US consumption approximately 2.5 lbs per capita annually. Import dependency increasing as domestic acreage declines due to labor challenges.
Elasticity
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price elasticity | -0.72 |
| Income elasticity | 0.45 |
| Organic premium elasticity | -0.38 |
Market share by variety
| Variety | Share |
|---|---|
| Green | 92% |
| White | 5% |
| Purple | 3% |
Pack sizes
- 11 lb case (pyramid)
- 28 lb case (standard flat)
- 30 lb case (jumbo)
- 25 lb case (medium)
- 15 lb half case
Source: GDF v2.1.1 s09_market_intelligence.
Rendered by commodity_profile_renderer v1.0.0 on 2026-05-15T22:30:00.000Z.