The kaki campaign will start on September 20, similarly to previous seasons, and with good volume forecasts compared to other years and higher prices at the source.
"We foresee normal yields and good quality thanks to the favorable weather conditions and the fact that we have pests under control. We thus expect homogeneous sizes, generally slightly smaller than last year in general, but equally attractive for the market," says Daniel Vidal, CEO of Exquisite Fruits.
© Exquisite Fruits
With the start of the citrus, pomegranate, and kaki campaigns, this is the busiest period of the year for the Valencian company. Kakis are their most representative product in terms of volume and recognition, and the firm is also the second largest player in terms of kaki sales. "On August 20, we started with the first early pomegranates, namely the Smith, Acco, and Emek, which are to be followed by the Wonderful from this month onwards. This week, we are starting to sell the first Satsuma-type mandarins, kicking off a citrus season that is expected to be more intense from mid-October to the end of the year due to the significant drop in the Clemenules supply during the period of greatest demand."
Although Exquisite Fruits specializes in the Rojo Brillante kaki variety, which is the most widely grown and most in demand in the market, it is also working with the more niche Maxim and Fuyu at the beginning of the season. "We started with the Fuyu in the second week of September and with the Maxim in the fourth week to be able to slightly extend our kaki sales period and be able to gradually introduce the product into the markets," says Vidal.
© Exquisite Fruits
Kaki purchases at the source have started early this year, causing prices to rise to higher levels than last season. "Two years ago, there was a shortage of fruit due to the impact of the weather and pests, and last year, storms and floods caused the loss of a lot of fruit. The uncertainty as to whether there will be enough supply has led to purchases being brought forward, especially on the part of the larger groups. We advise caution, as there could be a mismatch between prices at the source and on the market, making it difficult for the market to accept such prices at certain times. We have to be rigorous in our purchases at the source and work very efficiently," says Vidal.
© Exquisite Fruits
"We believe that prices will guarantee profitability for all parties involved in the chain," says Vidal. "We see increasing stability in sales prices. A few years ago, there were big ups and downs from one season to the next. Kakis have become a commodity in certain markets, so buyers are always prepared to pay a reasonable price, and this has helped achieve a balance."
The kaki acreage has been declining in recent years due to the challenge of pest management and its associated costs. Now, according to Daniel Vidal, it remains stable and in line with real demand. "Many kaki fields in Valencia, the main growing area for this fruit, are part of smallholdings where difficulties in management have led to their replacement by other crops. In this scenario, we have worked to consolidate relations with our growers and optimize yields in order to keep stable volumes stable and grow in line with our clients' demand. Thus, every year we are growing on the commercial side, something that would not be possible if we didn't have large growers," he says.
© Exquisite Fruits
Exquisite Fruits has a significant presence in central and eastern European markets. "There is still potential for growth in these countries, as well as in the Middle East and Asia. China is a huge market where a lot of local kaki varieties are consumed, although there are also logistical challenges and high demands in terms of access protocols. In the medium term, it could be of interest as agreements should allow for more stable trade. We are keeping an eye on this, but our priority is to consolidate our position in nearby markets," says Daniel Vidal.
Exquisite Fruits will be exhibiting at Fruit Attraction from September 30 to October 2 in Madrid at stand 3E13 in Hall 3.
For more information:
Daniel Vidal
Exquisite Fruits
Tel.: +34 675 549 164 Ç
[email protected]
www.exquisitefruits.com