Kaki production in the Valencia region is forecast to climb by 10 per cent this season on last as growers efforts to extend the season are realised. Most production in centred in the denomination of origin Ribera del Xuquer and with the season about to start growers are relieved that frosts in March did not have as devastating effect as feared. Although some growers have seen their crops decline, the overall effect is an increase to some 43,000 tonnes.
Growers’ organisation Unió-COAG said prices are higher than at this point last season which is very encouraging for growers as deals are being closed at €0.27-0.36 a kilo compared to €0.21-0.27 last season. But the union’s secretary general Joan Brusca also warned that producers should not rush to sell their fruit before it is ready or because they fear prices will fall later in the season as that could seriously destabilise the market.
Brusca also said that production has also experienced important changes in the last few seasons. “Before the season barely lasted a month, but now it has been extended from the end of September until the early weeks of December because of improved growing techniques,” he said.
Some 80 per cent of the crop from Valencia is exported and the UK is among the top three export destinations along with Germany and France. Representatives from the regulatory council of the denomination of origin will be at next month’s World Fruit & Vegetable Show in London to promote their product. They are also hoping to grow the domestic market and branch out into eastern Europe.
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