Hurricane cuts persimmon crops by 30% in Spain

After a loss of some 30 million kg of persimmons due to a fungus, the Spanish region of Valencia has recently lost 10 million more kg due to a windstorm.

 

 

Now there are only 20,000 tons left.

 

 

Very strong winds have hit last week Valencia region. According to earlier estimates, about 30% of persimmon harvest - amounting to some 35 million kg - has been destroyed.

 

 

As a result, as reported by the website www.valenciafruits.com, besides the 30 million kg of persimmons lost between August and September because of the Mycosphaerella Nawa fungus, the wind caused an additional loss of 10 million kg.

 

The problem was even more serious as the wind has come just at the time of harvesting. Besides the damage of falling fruits, a loss in quality and commercial value must be hence registered as well. The most affected zones include Ribera, which is one of the most important production areas, and Vall d'Albaida.

 

According to Vincent Monzo, president of the PDO "Ribera del Xúquer", "this situation has occurred at a time when we had sold just over 10% of our produce. We'll have to redouble our efforts to allow consumers to eat a product that keeps intact its organoleptic characteristics."
 

 
There are currently 20 million kg of persimmons available in La Ribera, that, however, has been penalized by a negative year. Labor unions along with the Unió association forecasted that, in part because of recent adverse weather events, this year's campaign  will be disastrous for producers.

 

 

For its part, the Department of Agriculture has announced aid for 1 million Euro to farmers affected by the fungus which jeopardized more than 30% of the crop. Nevertheless Unió calls for stronger actions, urging the central government "not to ignore the damage caused by this disease, that will result in an income reduction for persimmon producers."