Market Trends of Persimmons Industry
High Export Value Drives the Market
- The export value of persimmons fruits was valued at USD 620.1 million in 2021, an increase of 12.7% from 2018. The potential use of persimmon surpluses and by-products in the development of new food products due to its high nutritional and bioactive compound content with bio-physiological functions such as antioxidant and antidiabetic properties is one of the major factors driving the export market.
- Spain, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan are the leading exporters of persimmons fruit. The main reason for such exports is the high prices of persimmons in the importing countries and production in a few countries. The demand for persimmons fruits is high in many countries with no or less production, such as Germany, the United States, etc. These countries import from countries like China, where the output is very high. Surprisingly, China's leading exporter is also one of the leading importers.
- According to the Georgian Ministry of Finance, the country exported 5,800 tons of persimmons worth USD 3 million. The main export destinations of Georgian persimmons are Russia, Ukraine, and Armenia - they accounted for 97% of exported persimmons in October 2021. At the same time, there is a significant difference in prices in export markets. The price of persimmons on the Russian market is 41% higher than the average export price of Georgian persimmons, which is USD 510 per ton.
Asia-Pacific Dominates the Market
- Asia-Pacific is the leading producer of persimmon fruit. China and Japan are the leading producers, with a production quantity of 3.4 million metric tons and 0.18 million metric tons, respectively, in 2021, almost 75% of the world's production. Europe stands second with 11.5% of the market share after Asia. The dynamic developments in the production and supply of horticultural products and sustainable growth in the production of persimmon are estimated to show a positive trend in the future.
- Chinese origin of the persimmon, favorable climate, and availability of many cultivars are the main reasons for their production in these countries. Chinese persimmon production keeps increasing while total acreage is maintained stable, and dried persimmon becomes the main product type for exporting.
- The improvement of breeding techniques fastened the achievement of new Chinese PCNA cultivars. Innovative trade models of persimmon products through Internet marketing, fruit quality evaluation, and post-harvest treatments for keeping the fruit fresh are some factors driving the persimmon market in China.