The region's kakis continue to make their way to the international market. The Ribera del Xúquer Designation of Origin has recorded an increase in the production going to foreign markets of between 15 and 20%, and this is especially the case for the fruit that is shipped to countries like the United States, Canada or Brazil. In other destinations, such as the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, demand has also grown. Despite this, most of the exports go to already consolidated European destinations, like the UK, Germany or France.
The first contacts with the US market took place last year, although it has been in 2016 when the most significant increase in exports to that market has been observed, with the first shipments being made in November. One of the reasons for the increase in exports is the growing amount of fruit with an average calibre. "These are countries that are looking for a medium-sized fruit. Last year, the product was bigger and it was not as popular," explains the president of the PDO Ribera del Xúquer, Cirilo Arnandis. He points out that "despite the rainy season which has caused floods, the fruit has achieved very good sales," so it is expected to be on the market for five months and remain until February, a month longer than usual. "The goal is to finish the direct production first and then continue with the stored fruit." The harvesting season will finish in just 15 days, so it will soon be known whether the production will be large enough to last until February.
As reported by Levante-EMV, growth close to 10% is expected; a figure which, given the development of the campaign, should be reached. In fact, there are prospects to reach 645 million kilos of kakis by 2020 and "we'll hopefully reach similar consumption figures to those recorded by apples, which stand at 8 kilos per person per year," concluded Arnandis.
Source: levante-emv.com
