Growers in Valencia are expecting a massive increase in kakifruit production this season, following a disastrous campaign in 2008-09.
Fruit quality is reported by growers’ association Ava-Asaja to be good and the harvest is set to start on September 20 in the warmest growing areas of the eastern Spanish region. Volumes are forecast to reach 100,000 tonnes.
Last season, the crop was badly affected by the Mycoshpaerella Hawaii virus, which causes fruit and leaves to fall from the trees. The association has been advising growers to initiate treatment against the virus in anticipation of the onset of warm, damp weather conditions that allow it to flourish.
Producers are also calling for greater research investment into their crop, which is in expansion, to improve disease resistance and biological control methods.
