As much as 40 per cent of the Spanish region of Valencia’s 2010/11 kaki persimmon crop could be lost as a result of damage caused to fruit still to be harvested by strong winds that swept across eastern Spain earlier this week.
Much of the fruit, which is known for its delicate skin, was damaged by flailing branches or fell to the ground, according to reports, with production said to be particularly affected in the provinces of Ribera Alta, Vall d’Albaida and la Costera.
According to regional association La Unió, between 30 and 50 per cent of the crop still to be harvested was damaged by the inclement conditions, with preliminary estimates of the losses being placed at 10,000 tonnes.
If accurate, the group said this could cost Valencia’s kaki producers as much as €3m in lost revenue.
Fellow association Ava-Asaja put the losses slightly lower at 30 per cent, but said the eventual cost to the sector could increase to 40 per cent of total production for the season.
