California’s asparagus acreage is estimated at 23,000 acres, a decline of 4 percent from last year, according to USDA/NASS. A mid-January freeze had minimal impact on the asparagus crop.

Nationally, intended acreage for harvest is forecast at 42,000 acres, down 6 percent from 2006. Washington’s harvested area is forecast at 7,500 acres, 17 percent below last year. Weather this winter was very mild in the eastern part Washington. Water supplies should not be a concern there for the upcoming season as the snow pack is being reported at 115 percent.

Harvested acreage continues to drop as available markets shrink.