High winds last week in the eastern Spanish region of Valencia have caused dramatic losses to the persimmon crop.
According to growers’ association Ava-Asaja, some 30 per cent of the fruit remaining on trees at this mid-point in the season has been damaged.
Most of the harm has been caused by branches and leaves being blown against the fruit, although some fruit has also been blown from trees completely.
Growers’ leaders are calling for swift action on the part of insurers to assess damage so that producers can return to their fields and pick what remains of the rapidly maturing fruit.
