Due to the persistent rainfall during the current season, kaki producers have been forced to start the harvest at least a week earlier. The harvest of Rojo Brillante kakis in Spain's main producing areas will consequently be finished in ten or twelve days. According to Pascual Prats, president of the Spanish Kaki Association, this has generally not taken a toll on the quality of the fruit. But since so much water has fallen, the trees have lost their leaves faster and the trees suffer root asphyxia. The campaign has been marked by climatic adversities, especially by frost and hail, which have caused the production volume to fall by approximately 50% compared to what was initially expected. As a result of this, the prices are good and the supply is easily absorbed by the market. "Sales are going smoothly and prices are good, but we believe that they do not really reflect this year's great shortage," says Pascual Prats. According to the representative of this association, around 80% of the Spanish kaki production is exported. The fall in the production has also caused exporters to focus more on the largest markets for this fruit, which are currently in Europe. "There have been fewer shipments per container to overseas destinations, as we first want to meet the demand from European supermarkets, which are the ones importing the largest volumes. In the new markets outside the EU, orders are more limited," he says. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com