Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupTemperate fruit (persimmon/kaki)
Scientific NameDiospyros kaki
PerishabilityMedium
Main VarietiesNon-astringent types (e.g., Fuyu, Jiro), Astringent types (e.g., Hachiya, Saijo), Astringent cultivars marketed firm after deastringency (e.g., Rojo Brillante, Triumph)
Consumption Forms- Fresh consumption (firm-eating non-astringent cultivars)
- Fresh consumption after soft ripening (astringent cultivars)
- Fresh consumption after postharvest deastringency (firm marketing programs for some astringent cultivars)
- Processed products (purees, baked goods, dried products) where utilized to reduce waste
Grading Factors- Skin color development appropriate to cultivar group
- Firmness appropriate to program (firm-eating vs soft-ripened)
- Freedom from growth cracks, mechanical injuries, and decay
- Soluble solids (Brix) targets used as a quality index in some postharvest guidance
- Absence of residual astringency for marketed fruit
Market
Fresh persimmon (kaki) is a seasonal temperate fruit with global production heavily concentrated in China, with significant secondary production in Spain, South Korea, Japan, Azerbaijan, and Brazil. International trade is comparatively more concentrated than production, with Spain and Azerbaijan prominent among exporting origins and Russia and EU markets featuring strongly among import destinations. Marketability and handling requirements vary materially by cultivar group (astringent vs non-astringent) and by the use of postharvest deastringency (notably high-CO2 treatments) that enables firm-eating commercial programs for certain cultivars. Cold-chain performance and ethylene management are central determinants of long-distance trade success and shrink rates.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Largest producer by volume (FAOSTAT-reported).
- 스페인Major producer and a leading export-origin supplier (Rojo Brillante centered in Valencia region).
- 대한민국Large producer with export participation; sweet/non-astringent types are prominent in market programs.
- 일본Large producer with extensive cultivar diversity (astringent and non-astringent types).
- 아제르바이잔Important producer and exporter in Eurasian trade flows.
- 브라질Notable producer (FAOSTAT-reported among leading producers).
Major Exporting Countries- 스페인Reported as the largest global export supplier in multiple secondary summaries; strongly associated with Rojo Brillante programs and postharvest deastringency for firm marketing.
- 아제르바이잔Reported among the top exporting countries for fresh persimmons (HS 081070) in UN Comtrade-derived summaries.
- 중국Reported among the top exporting countries for fresh persimmons (HS 081070) in UN Comtrade-derived summaries.
- 우즈베키스탄Seasonal exporter with shipments concentrated into late summer through winter in Central Asia/Eurasia corridors.
Major Importing Countries- 러시아Reported as the top importing country by value for fresh persimmons (HS 081070) in UN Comtrade-derived summaries.
- 독일Reported as a leading import market by value for fresh persimmons (HS 081070) in UN Comtrade-derived summaries.
- 베트남Reported as a leading import market by value for fresh persimmons (HS 081070) in UN Comtrade-derived summaries.
Supply Calendar- Spain (Mediterranean):Sep, Oct, Nov, DecCommercial maturation for persimmon is often described as September–December; Spanish Rojo Brillante programs are a major autumn-to-early-winter supply window.
- Uzbekistan (Central Asia):Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, FebExport season referenced as starting in late August and running through late February (seasonal export program).
Specification
Major VarietiesFuyu, Hachiya, Jiro, Saijo, Tone Wase, Rojo Brillante, Triumph, Kaki Tipo
Physical Attributes- Two broad commercial groups: astringent types (require full softening or deastringency) and non-astringent types (can be eaten firm).
- Export and premium programs emphasize uniform skin color development (green-to-orange/reddish-orange depending on cultivar group), firmness, and freedom from cracks, bruising, and decay.
- Many commercial programs target firm-eating fruit via cultivar choice and/or postharvest deastringency so fruit can be distributed and sold before full softening.
Compositional Metrics- Soluble solids benchmarks cited in postharvest guidance include ~21–23% for 'Hachiya' and ~18–20% for 'Fuyu' and similar non-astringent cultivars (used as a quality index).
- Astringency (tannin-related) is a core commercial specification dimension for astringent cultivars; high-CO2 postharvest treatments are referenced as an approach to remove astringency while maintaining firmness.
Grades- UNECE fresh fruit and vegetables marketing standards include a specific persimmon standard (FFV-63) outlining quality, sizing, tolerances, presentation, and marking requirements referenced in trade.
Packaging- Export programs commonly use carton-based packaging sized for retail/wholesale distribution, with handling emphasis on bruise prevention and ventilation compatible with cold storage.
- Some programs use controlled-atmosphere capable packaging/handling systems to support longer storage or long-distance distribution.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest at cultivar-appropriate maturity -> orchard/field sorting -> packhouse grading (size, color, defects) -> optional deastringency treatment for astringent cultivars (e.g., high-CO2 protocols) -> pre-cooling -> cold storage -> refrigerated transport -> distribution/retail
- Ethylene management (exclusion/removal) is a recurring handling requirement to slow softening and protect marketability.
Demand Drivers- Strong seasonal (autumn/winter) consumption patterns in key importing regions and retail promotion windows.
- Consumer preference for firm-eating fruit has supported cultivar selection and postharvest deastringency programs that expand saleable distribution windows.
- Product differentiation by cultivar (texture, sweetness perception, astringency) supports segmented retail positioning.
Temperature- Postharvest guidance cites an optimum storage temperature around 0 ± 1°C with high relative humidity (about 90–95%) for fresh persimmons under professional cold-chain handling.
- Non-astringent 'Fuyu' and similar cultivars are described as chilling-sensitive in intermediate cold ranges (e.g., 5–15°C), with symptom expression influenced by time/temperature and subsequent warming.
- Persimmons are described as very sensitive to ethylene action; ethylene exclusion/removal is recommended in storage and transport.
Atmosphere Control- Controlled-atmosphere conditions referenced in postharvest guidance (e.g., low O2 around 3–5% with moderate CO2 around 5–8%) can delay ripening, help retain firmness, and may reduce chilling-injury symptoms for sensitive cultivars.
- For astringent cultivars, high-CO2 deastringency treatments are referenced as a method to remove astringency while maintaining firmness (commercial handling step rather than long-term CA storage).
Shelf Life- Postharvest guidance indicates that under optimum low temperature, high humidity, and ethylene-free conditions, persimmons can achieve multi-week to multi-month storage potential; controlled atmosphere is cited as extending postharvest life relative to air storage.
- Shelf-life outcomes are highly cultivar-dependent and sensitive to ethylene exposure and temperature mismanagement (softening, browning, gelling, and decay risks).
Risks
Postharvest Physiology HighFresh persimmons have high commercial sensitivity to temperature and ethylene: ethylene exposure accelerates softening, and some non-astringent cultivars (e.g., 'Fuyu') are described as chilling-sensitive in intermediate cold ranges. Cold-chain mismanagement, ethylene contamination, or delayed distribution can trigger rapid quality breakdown (softening, browning/gelling, decay), directly disrupting trade execution and increasing shrink.Implement cultivar-specific handling SOPs (temperature set-points and RH), segregate from ethylene-producing cargo, and use CA/MAP where appropriate; align harvest maturity, deastringency protocol, and destination sell window.
Trade Concentration MediumUN Comtrade-derived summaries show fresh persimmon exports and imports concentrated in a limited set of countries (notably Spain/Azerbaijan/China on the export side and Russia/Germany/Vietnam on the import side for HS 081070 in 2022). Demand shocks, border disruptions, or logistics constraints affecting any of these hubs can materially shift prices and access for exporters.Diversify destination markets and customer mix; maintain alternative routings and packaging specs to pivot between Eurasian and EU retail channels where feasible.
Quality Standard Rejection MediumInternational marketing standards (e.g., UNECE FFV-63) formalize defect tolerances, sizing, and marking expectations. Combined with retailer-driven cosmetic standards, this can increase rejection risk for fruit with cracks, bruising, decay, or residual astringency, particularly late in season or after extended storage/transport.Strengthen pre-shipment QC (defects/firmness/soluble solids), document deastringency verification for relevant cultivars, and develop secondary outlets (processing/drying) for out-of-spec lots.
Sustainability- Food loss and waste risk is elevated due to strict cosmetic/quality expectations and short marketing windows for some cultivar programs, driving discard of out-of-spec fruit and by-products.
- Cold-chain energy use and packaging intensity increase with longer-distance trade and extended storage strategies (CA/MAP).
Labor & Social- Seasonal harvesting and packhouse labor intensity creates worker-safety and labor-availability exposure during peak autumn campaigns in major origins.
- Traceability and compliance expectations rise for export-oriented programs supplying large retail chains.
FAQ
Which countries are the main global exporters and importers of fresh persimmons?In UN Comtrade-derived summaries for HS 081070 (fresh persimmons), Spain, Azerbaijan, and China are identified as leading exporters for 2022, while Russia, Germany, and Vietnam are identified as leading importers for the same year.
How is astringency managed for astringent persimmon cultivars in commercial trade?Postharvest guidance describes using high-CO2 exposure to remove astringency while maintaining firmness for certain astringent cultivars, allowing fruit to be marketed and distributed without waiting for full softening.
What postharvest handling factors most affect persimmon quality in international shipping?Temperature control and ethylene management are critical: postharvest guidance cites near-0°C cold storage with high humidity for persimmons, warns that ethylene accelerates softening, and notes chilling sensitivity for some cultivars at intermediate cold temperatures, all of which can drive shrink if mismanaged.