Spain Valencia kaki persimmon

The volume of Spanish kakis marketed under the Ribera del Xúquer PDO rose by 25 per cent in 2013/14 to 30,939 tonnes. The PDO’s Regulatory Board said the rise had come in spite of output falling by 6.5 per cent.

Production was forecast to jump following a 46 per cent increase in planted area last season but the warm, dry winter resulted in widespread losses. The shortage kept prices firm throughout the season, which was characterised by increased demand in the UK and growth in non-EU markets such as Russia.