Agricultural workers face a sharp increase in disadvantageous patterns
Lower Saxony Faces Decrease in Asparagus Harvest
The Lower Saxony State Statistical Office (LSN) has reported a significant decrease in the asparagus harvest in Lower Saxony for 2025, marking a continuation of a downward trend in recent years.
According to the LSN, the productive area for asparagus cultivation in Lower Saxony decreased by 4.8% in 2025, to 3,828 hectares. This shrinking cultivation area has led to a lower total asparagus yield, with preliminary results showing that Lower Saxony harvested 19,654 tons of asparagus in 2025, a decrease of 13.1% compared to the previous year. This decline in harvest makes 2025 the lowest asparagus harvest in Lower Saxony since 2006.
The decline in the asparagus harvest and cultivation area is a continued trend of recent years, and concerns about this trend, which were mentioned in previous reports, continue to be valid. The LSN cites factors such as the shortage of harvest workers, decreasing demand, or rising production costs as potential reasons for the increase in non-productive areas.
The increase in non-productive area could mean that cultivation areas are increasingly not harvested. Unfavorable weather conditions, such as persistent drought and rain damage, may have also contributed to the decline in yield. The LSN expresses doubts about whether the newly planted areas will lead to a higher harvest in the coming years.
Despite the decline, Lower Saxony remains the leading asparagus producer in Germany, accounting for 19.9% of the national production. However, the non-productive area in Lower Saxony is growing, potentially posing a risk to its top position as a producer.
The consequences of this decrease in harvest include a tighter supply in one of Germany's key growing regions. This can potentially lead to higher wholesale and retail prices due to scarcity, although current markets show varied price reactions depending on regional and product specifics. Furthermore, shrinking cultivation areas and lower yields may affect the local agricultural economy, particularly farming incomes and associated agribusiness sectors.
The LSN does not provide a clear prediction about the future of asparagus harvest in Lower Saxony due to the uncertainties mentioned above. However, the continued decline in asparagus harvest and cultivation area in Lower Saxony is a cause for concern for many farmers in the region.
The shrinking cultivation area and unfavorable weather conditions may lead to changes in the local food-and-drink sector, particularly the asparagus-based lifestyle offerings in Lower Saxony.
The decline in the asparagus harvest and increase in non-productive areas could potentially impact the weather patterns of Lower Saxony in the coming years, as the traditional practice of crop rotation may be affected.
