Valencian Community persimmon harvest to drop 34%

Persimmon production in the Valencian Community is expected to drop by approximately 34% this season, reaching a ten-year low of around 240,000 tons. According to forecasts from the agricultural organization La Unió Llauradora, the decline is driven by extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves that caused sun damage to the fruit, intense natural fruit drop, and recent storms.

Beyond climate issues, the sector is facing rising operational costs and difficulties controlling pests such as mealybugs and whiteflies. These factors are expected to reduce both the total volume of the harvest and its commercial quality. La Unió Llauradora has requested the advancement of insurance guarantees and has called on the Ministry of Agriculture to establish compensatory aid for affected farmers.