Start of kaki campaign in Huelva with plenty of medium calibres

While the Region of Valencia already started marketing Rojo Brillante kakis about three weeks ago with lower yields and an abundance of large calibres, Huelva is starting this week with the harvest of the same variety; the most common one, with plenty of medium and small calibres. The second-grade cooperative Onubafruit expects to harvest more kilos than last year, about 7 million.

"Although we usually start about three weeks later than Valencia, this year, due to the very high temperatures recorded during the summer, our harvest has been delayed by 7 to 10 days, as we've had to wait for the fruit's natural maturation in the tree," explains Carlos Esteve, from the commercial department of Onubafruit. "Huelva's climate is very similar to that of Valencia, even though our nights are somewhat milder. As a result, our kakis (of the same variety) have very similar organoleptic qualities," assures Carlos Esteve.

"As in Valencia, a lot of citrus has been replaced in Huelva by kakis and berries, with a remarkable growth of the production in the last 8 years. Now the expansion of the kaki acreage has slowed down, while a major varietal renewal has been carried out with citrus," he points out. At the same time, the cooperative is also introducing new products, such as pomegranates, for which it already has 40 hectares in Huelva, and avocados.

80% of Onubafruit's kaki production is exported, both to Europe and to more distant countries. "There is a lot of potential in Asian markets. We have been shipping both kakis and berries to Hong Kong for three years. There is still a lot of work to be done, and we hope to have the help of the Spanish authorities for the approval of export protocols with more countries, especially China," states Carlos Esteve.

For more information:
Victoria Rodríguez
Onubafruit S.Coop.And.
T: +34 959 540 844
vrodriguez@onubafruit.com
www.onubafruit.com