This year's kaki Persimon® harvest was expected to reach around 90,000 tonnes; 16% more than last year, given the steady increase in the crop's acreage. Nevertheless, as a result of the autumn's dry and hot weather, all prospects currently point to a harvest of around 80,000 tonnes; similar to last year's. "We will still need to wait until the end of the campaign to confirm this," points out Rafael Perucho, head of the Regulatory Board of the PDO Kaki Ribera del Xúquer.
"The campaign has developed normally, and so far we are satisfied with the results and the behaviour of the markets. In general, from December onwards, volumes usually start dropping," he explains, "but this season, it is being particularly the case, as the yield has not been as good as initially anticipated and demand keeps increasing every year." Therefore, prices should be a little higher than in previous seasons.
Calibres have also not been as large as other years, although according to Rafael Perucho, "this should not entail any problems."
Strong increase of sales in the United Kingdom
Although the Spanish market still absorbs most of its own kaki Persimon® production, demand from export markets is still on the rise. "Sales in the United Kingdom have experienced an amazing growth. For years, we have been organising promotions at the country's main supermarket chains, as this fruit used to be pretty much unknown."
"While considered an exotic fruit outside of Spain, the majority of those who try it, like it. It is also worth noting that its quality remains stable throughout the entire campaign," remarks Rafael. "It is still a rather new product, and its success it not only due to the fruit's qualities, but also to the Region's trading mechanisms. Valencia has a long tradition as a citrus exporter and the same channels have been used to introduce kakis."