Spanish kaki persimmon crop bounces back, promising longer seasonal programs

After two seasons shaped by weather-related uncertainty, Spanish kaki persimmons are ready to regain ground. Lucio Rainelli, Director of Sales at LGS Specialty Sales, tells FreshFruitPortal.com this year’s larger crop is giving the firm more flexibility to extend its program.

Improved growing conditions, particularly the absence of freezes in Spain, boosted production, giving the New York-based importer more room to play.

“Because of limited supply in previous years, we’ve had to be very conservative with market distribution. The bigger supply this year allows extended programs and for us to go into more markets,” the executive says.

LGS markets kaki persimmons from Spain as a specialty item in the United States. The variety has a flavor profile resembling that of Fuyu persimmons, with rich, sweet, and creamy vanilla notes. According to Rainelli, the harvest isn’t showing “any quality issues.” 

“Their uniquely sweet characteristics, along with exclusive seasonality, not only meet shopper demand for specialty items but also offer customers a way to differentiate and expand their seasonal programs,” adds Rainelli.

Kaki persimmons are ready to shine

The Spanish persimmon program is expected to run through late January, providing more consistency than in recent seasons. Rainelli says the ability to communicate a longer, more predictable window has helped retailers plan more effectively. 

He explains that persimmons remain a specialty category that does not typically lend itself to promotional activity. Instead, retailers are responding by committing to longer seasonal programs.

“It can be difficult to carry something for a short window,” he says. “Last year, the message was ‘tight window, short deal, not sure what we will get’. This year, we have a clear schedule for containers, and therefore more confidence.”

Looking ahead, Rainelli says the biggest challenge to continuing to expand US demand for kaki persimmons remains supply consistency. 

“It’s always going to be tied to weather and growing patterns for this specific variety because it is grown in one specific region, with specific timing,” he says. 

*All photos courtesy of LGS.

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