CO₂ is a fundamental element to eliminate the astringency of Rojo Brillante kakis and allow them to be consumed fresh and for people to enjoy their sweet flavor. In most packing plants, astringency treatment is carried out in controlled atmosphere chambers with CO₂. The procedure consists of leaving the chamber oxygen-free, with CO₂ levels reaching 98%. In such an environment, the astringency of kakis disappears in 1 or 2 days.
Not only has the cost tripled, but one of the suppliers of this gas, on which 35 kaki producing and marketing companies depended, has stopped supplying, forcing them to stop their harvests in a year in which the production has been significantly reduced due to the influence of the weather, as denounced by the Spanish Kaki Association.
"We had been receiving the supply of CO₂ gas in very small amounts, but now we have not received any for days. The gas supplier was the company Carburos Metálicos, S.A., with which around 35 kaki producing and marketing companies have an exclusivity agreement, and with whom we signed a supply contract that is not being fulfilled," said Pascual Prats, president of the Spanish Kaki Association.
"CO₂ is one of the inputs whose cost has shot up the most due to its limited availability. We are paying 300% more compared to last season, although it is vitally important to be able to market the kakis. We don't know what the cause is for this lack of supply, because they are not giving us any explanations, so we will surely take legal action against the entity."
The supply in the current Rojo Brillante kaki campaign, which started in early October, has been reduced by more than half compared to the previous year, although prices are good, according to Pascual Prats.
"We urgently need this gas to continue working and be able to supply the kakis to our customers. This situation, as well as the constant price increases, is causing many to consider the use of other treatment methods to eliminate astringency, including ethanol, which is what was used years ago before it was abandoned due to its high cost and the greater difficulties involved."
For more information:
Pascual Prats
Asociación Española del Kaki
Calle Isabel la Católica, 6 - Pta. 9 y 10
46004 Valencia, Spain
T: (+34) 902 920 515
[email protected]
www.aekaki.es