The Spanish kaki campaign is advancing. The campaign was 7 to 10 days delayed when compared to last year, and producers have already marketed nearly 25% of the fruit.
Nearly 40% of the harvest has been lost because of the damage caused by pests and diseases, like the cotonet, and hailstorms, among other factors. "We have sold nearly 20-25% less fruit so far than in the first part of last season," stated Pascual Prats, president of the Spanish Kaki Association.
According to Prats, prices have been good so far in the campaign, but the large distribution chains have begun to increase their pressure on kaki prices in the last week.
“Prices do not correspond to the limited availability of fruit this year. We should remember that production costs have increased by 10 to 12 cents this year due to the rise in the prices of energy, fuel, and packaging materials, among others,” he stated.
Most of the harvest will be carried out by mid-November. The production will be stored in chambers, which will allow extending the season and regulating the market. Currently, producers are already exporting the product overseas. However, according to Pascual Prats, “this year there will be less need to export to distant markets, due to both the low availability of the product, the high costs of maritime freight, and other logistical problems.”
For more information:
Pascual Prats
Asociación Española del Kaki
Calle Isabel la Católica, 6 - Pta. 9 y 10
46004 Valencia, España
T: (+34) 902 920 515
[email protected]
www.aekaki.es