Green Asparagus from Ju County

Green Asparagus from Ju County

Green Asparagus from Ju County is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Recently, the geographical indication certification trademark for Green Asparagus from Ju County was successfully registered and approved for use by the Trademark Office of the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, becoming the third geographical indication certification trademark obtained by Rizhao City after “Rizhao Green Tea” and “Ju County Ginger.” It is reported that Green Asparagus from Ju County accounts for 70% of the national export volume of green asparagus. The successful registration of the geographical indication certification trademark means that Green Asparagus from Ju County, which already has significant advantages, will become better known to more people.

　　　　High Price: Green Asparagus from Ju County Matches Pork Prices

　　 　　On May 24, Li Zhaoxian from Jindun Village No. 3 in Xiaodian Town, Ju County, said that the price of green asparagus has risen significantly this year. “Last year it was just over 7 yuan per jin, but now it’s more than 10 yuan per jin.” He told reporters that there are over 1,000 households growing asparagus in Jindun Village No. 3, with some farming just one or two mu each, while others cultivate seven or eight mu. When asked about the benefits the geographical indication certification trademark would bring to farmers, Li Zhaoxian said that farmers are most concerned about income. “Once green asparagus becomes well-known, the price will definitely go up.”

　　　　Li Zhaoxian said that growing green asparagus is quite labor-intensive and requires very standardized management. Most farmers in his village have joined the Shenghua Agricultural Cooperative, which connects with enterprises, bases, and farmers. The cooperative provides technical guidance to farmers and distributes free organic fertilizer and biological pesticides—typically offering about 500 yuan worth of support per mu. “Green asparagus is priced too high as a vegetable—sometimes even more expensive than pork per jin. Most ordinary people are reluctant to buy it. Most of our green asparagus is shipped to Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and other places, and it’s mostly fresh-kept asparagus,” Li Zhaoxian said.

　　　　Large Scale: Over 30 Bases Exceeding 150 Mu Each

　　　　On the 24th, Li Hongchun, General Manager of Rizhao Hengsheng Food Co., Ltd., told reporters that green asparagus is divided into spring asparagus and summer asparagus. Spring asparagus can generally be harvested in early April. This year, due to weather conditions, it was about half a month later than last year, not harvested until late April. “Summer asparagus starts being picked in August. My demonstration area covers 150 mu, and we plan to add another 50 mu this year.” The reporter observed that the green asparagus demonstration area is isolated. Li Hongchun explained that this is mainly to prevent contamination from surrounding farmland, as crops like wheat in the vicinity are often sprayed with pesticides that can be carried by the wind into the asparagus demonstration zone, causing pollution.

　　　　“There are over 30 green asparagus demonstration areas of this scale in Ju County,” Li Hongchun introduced. The bases mainly lease land from farmers, and the seeds were imported from the United States in 1980. The seeds cannot be reused. Green asparagus must first go through a cultivation phase before being transplanted. “Green asparagus transplanted this year can be harvested by next spring. It typically lives for 15 to 20 years, with peak production from the third to the tenth year.”

　　　　Strong Sales: Export Volume Accounts for 70% Nationwide

　　　　Pu Lingling, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Xincheng Food Co., Ltd., introduced that their company’s green asparagus demonstration base covers 3,000 mu, including 500 mu in Ju County, mainly in Xiaodian Town, and another 2,500 mu in Shanxi. Subsequently, the reporter donned work clothes and underwent a series of disinfection procedures before entering the workshop. According to Manager Pu, the company’s green asparagus exports are mainly frozen. The processing of green asparagus begins with rough processing, including cutting, sorting by length, then washing, blanching, and finally quick-freezing and packaging.

　　　　The reporter noticed tracking numbers on each box of asparagus. Quality control officer Mr. Yang explained that during the planting process, records are kept of agricultural operations, machinery used, and application of organic fertilizers.

　　　　“The current export price of green asparagus is generally around 25,000 yuan per ton, while premium asparagus can sell for about 30,000 yuan per ton,” Li Hongchun said. He expressed no concern about sales channels, as green asparagus is internationally recognized, and Ju County is a major exporter of green asparagus nationwide.

　　　　It is reported that Ju County has now established 30 standardized production bases. The county has built 16 green asparagus processing enterprises with an annual processing and export volume of 31,000 tons, generating 68 million US dollars in foreign exchange. It has become the largest green asparagus export base in China, accounting for 70% of the national green asparagus exports. Processed green asparagus from Ju County is exported to many countries and regions, including the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

　　　　Information: Green Asparagus Is Highly Nutritious

　　　　According to Liu Jun, a public nutritionist from the Rizhao Nutrition Society, during the growth of asparagus, when the tip emerges from the ground and undergoes photosynthesis, it turns green and is called green asparagus. If covered with soil and shielded from sunlight, it remains white and is called white asparagus. “Green asparagus, through photosynthesis, is rich in chlorophyll and also has relatively high vitamin content. It tastes crisp and delicious, and is highly nutritious, especially with much higher levels of vitamins, calcium, and iron compared to white asparagus.” Liu Jun stated that green asparagus indeed has benefits such as lowering blood pressure and softening blood vessels. It contains dietary fiber, and its lignin can promote gastrointestinal motility.