Exports of Brazilian persimmons are anticipated to reach a similar level to last year, depending on the impact of recent inclement weather conditions.
“This season, we expect to ship the same volume as in 2008, but we’ve experienced four weeks of rainfall since mid-January which may affect fruit quality,” one supplier told Fruitnet.com.
Although persimmons remain a small export item in Brazil’s burgeoning fruit basket – with a short supply window from March to April – suppliers believe there is some room for expansion on the European market.
“Exports are still small but there's potential for some growth,” explained the supplier. “Germany is a very good market and until last year demand was growing. Right now, we are waiting now to see how the market will behave given the financial crisis.”
Suppliers agree they will have to be cautious this season as they expect buyers to “push down prices” in order to attract consumers.
Germany, the Netherlands, France and the UK remain traditional markets for Brazilian persimmon exporters. Some fruit (albeit in smaller volume) is shipped to Finland, Denmark, Spain and Portugal.
