Persimmon suppliers in the western Spanish region of Valencia are hoping to ramp up exports to North America this season following positive test shipments last year and a much improved harvest.
Producers belonging to the Denomination of Origin (DO) organisation Kaki Ribera del Xúquer are planning to both consolidate their presence in neighbouring markets while also investigating new opportunities, Kaki Ribera’s managing director Rafael Perucho told Fruitnet.com.
Mr Perucho said the US and Canada represent “very interesting” markets, and had so far responded “very positively” to the as yet small quantities of fruit exported there.
As a result, the sector is hopeful of shipping a significant volume to the two markets during the course of this season.
Mr Perucho said the 2009/10 campaign is expected to go down on record as a positive one on the whole, despite a challenging 12 months with production problems and difficulties with fruit quality due to a tough year weather-wise.
Provided there are no complications, Mr Perucho estimated that the DO’s producers should harvest around 50,000 tonnes of persimmons this year.
Read the full article on p32 of Americafruit Magazine's October/November issue.
