In the middle of their field, Gabrielle and Robin want to keep smiling. For 3 years, they have relaunched the production of asparagus on the Ferme du Relais site in Pellevoisin (Indre): one and a half hectares for 4 expected tons famous vegetables. “The first two years, we didn’t have enough asparagus to meet demand. Production was starting. But this year, we find ourselves with kilos and kilos on our arms… because of inflation.“
The couple do not let themselves be defeated and understand the situation without judgement: “economists all say it, when there is a big inflation, we start by paying the rent, the energy, and the food comes after. So asparagus, which is an expensive vegetable, a pleasure purchase, it is obviously not a priority“.
Labor represents 80% of the cost
Sold 10.50 on the market, the kilo ofasparagus is indeed a product that is far from having priority in the basket. “We are organic, on old varieties which are therefore less productive, without plastic in the fields and therefore with manual weeding to be carried out” explain the two producers. For the season, they had to hire 5 employees that they do not intend to lay off, even if the season ends earlier than expected.
From now on, losses must be avoided at all costs. La Ferme du Relais therefore had to urgently seek a solution: a Loir-et-Cher company recovers unsold products and freezes them for future processing in the coming months. “We are going to make soups or veloutés… but we don’t yet know what market opportunities this will represent for us. We have been working at a loss for the past two years. We hoped to make a profit this time, but inflation calls everything into question“.
The couple will sell their production one last time this Saturday, May 20 on the Châteauroux market. Then, they will prepare for the 2023 season and are also recruiting seasonal workers to help them.