Defense and management organization

A Label Rouge for asparagus (n° LA 07/23) [ODG].

Superior quality asparagus has just been awarded Label Rouge status following the publication of its approval order by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty and the Ministry of the Economy on March 1, 2024. The latter guarantees a product of superior quality compared to a standard product.

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Mots-clés

Recognition

Label Rouge

Label Rouge Asparagus

Asparagus

Vegetable

Defense and management organization

Vidéo, Un Label Rouge pour les Asperges (n° LA 07/23)

Demanding production for a quality product

Label Rouge asparagus, white, Extra grade (with a diameter between 16 mm and 42 mm), and sold fresh after conditioning and packaging are synonymous with freshness. Their odor and aroma are characteristic of asparagus, the stalk is melting and not very stringy, and the bud not very bitter and sweet.

The 2 varieties selected, Vitalim and Grolim are the result of agronomic trials, and sensory analysis over 3 years to verify their suitability for meeting the product's characteristics (straightness and color of asparagus, Extra category potential, closed-bud asparagus potential, etc.).

Vitalim and Grolim are the result of agronomic trials, and sensory analysis over 3 years to verify their suitability for meeting the product's characteristics (straightness and color of asparagus, Extra category potential, closed-bud asparagus potential, etc.).).

Label Rouge asparagus is harvested by hand and shipped within 48 hours of the harvest day.

Superior quality asparagus

After a series of organoleptic tests, a panel of consumers and a jury of experts recognized the superior quality of these asparagus.

This quality is the result of numerous demanding criteria, both at plot and production level:

At plot level, a minimum of 75% fine and coarse sand to obtain very straight asparagus, a claw planting density adapted by variety for homogeneity of asparagus batch sizes, 8 years maximum of production on the plot to achieve well-closed bud quality in particular, and hand harvesting.

At production level, a maximum delay of 4 hours between harvesting and chilling to preserve the freshness and qualities of the product, a drop in temperature to between 7° and 1° core temperature in less than 12 hours to preserve the freshness of the asparagus, with their buds which must remain well closed, shipping the asparagus in less than 48 hours after the day of harvest.

Production in line with societal expectations

The Label Rouge asparagus specification incorporates several agro-environmental provisions:

  • No substantial modification of the morphology of the subsoil or soil is authorized;
  • The maximum age of asparagus groves is 8 years, i.e. 7 harvest years;
  • Obligation to use at least one alternative method to synthetic products (biocontrol type);
  • Mechanically worked inter-rows to control weeds;
  • Controlled irrigation thanks to technical support and decision-support tools (OAD);
  • Manual, daily harvesting to harvest asparagus as and when it ripens.
Asperge Label Rouge ©ODG

Figures

This project is led by the Association Asperges des Landes, already recognized as ODG for the IGP "Asperge des sables des Landes". Production of Label Rouge asparagus is initially planned at 600 tonnes (20% of PGI), then set to rise to 2000 tonnes, i.e. 65% of PGI volume. Two packing stations are involved, as well as 20 PGI asparagus producers who will produce Label Rouge.

About Label Rouge

Label Rouge is a national sign of quality that designates food products or non-food, unprocessed agricultural products which, due to their production or manufacturing conditions, have a superior level of quality compared to so-called "standard" products. At every stage of production and processing, a Label Rouge product must meet the requirements defined in a set of specifications, validated by the Institut national de l'origine et de la qualité (INAO) and approved by an interministerial decree published in the Journal officiel de la République française. Compliance with these requirements and product traceability is monitored by an independent certifying body supervised by the INAO.

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