Spain: The South African thrips plague causes damage to more than five million in the Valencian persimmon

Published Jul 30, 2024

Tridge summary

The Valencian Community's persimmon producers, especially in the Ribera Alta region, are facing significant losses exceeding five million euros due to the new quarantine pest, Scirtothrips aurantii. Officially recognized on July 3, this pest has damaged 4% of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption. LA UNIÓ criticizes the inadequate border controls that allow such pests to enter via imported products, a situation worsened by warm winters and sufficient humidity. They urge for stricter import protocols, better border inspections, and increased resources for plant health departments to safeguard European agriculture from similar threats.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The new quarantine pest of the thrips Scirtothrips aurantii is already causing direct damage of more than five million euros to persimmon producers in the Valencian Community, mainly concentrated in the Ribera Alta region, according to the first estimates of the Unió Llauradora, The pest was officially declared on July 3 after a Resolution from the Department of Agriculture was published, although a few days before LA UNIÓ had already made it public based on surveys carried out by the various producing areas. A study by LA UNIÓ with visits to affected fields reveals that the current percentage of damaged fruit is 4% because it is not suitable for consumption as a result of the damage caused by the pest and 6% in the Ribera Alta. This study also certifies that the damage extends to all the municipalities of the region, with special incidence in Alzira, L'Alcúdia, Benifaió, Càrcer, Gavarda, Alcàntera de Xúquer, Antella, Sellent, Tous and Cotes. The organization criticizes the ...

Source: Mercados