Persimmon production expected to decline by 20% in Minas Gerais

Persimmon production in Minas Gerais is expected to fall by 20% in the 2024/25 harvest, according to estimates by technicians from the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company (Emater-MG). The decline is attributed to extreme weather factors that affected plantations, such as excessive heat at the end of 2024, low rainfall, and hailstorms in early autumn 2025.

Despite the adversities, the harvest continues at a fast pace in Turvolândia, a municipality in the south of Minas Gerais that accounts for about half of the state's production of the fruit. The peak of the harvest occurs in the months of April and May, with work extending until July. In total, the municipality has about 200 hectares dedicated to persimmon cultivation.

In addition to fruit, farmers in the region also grow avocados, plums, atemoya, guava, oranges, peaches and lychees. The produce is sold in important consumer centers, such as São Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Espírito Santo and the states of the Northeast. Part of the harvest is also exported.

Technical event brings together producers

With the aim of strengthening the persimmon production chain, Emater-MG and the Cooperativa Agrícola do Sul de Minas (Casm) recently held a field day in Turvolândia. The meeting brought together around 100 participants, including producers, buyers and companies from the agricultural sector, and served as a space for exchanging experiences and technical updates.

During the event, the technical coordinator of Fruit Growing at Emater-MG, Deny Sanábio, highlighted the importance of good planning in property management and the role of fruit growing in the diversification of agricultural activities.

For Marcelo Batista, manager of Casm, cooperatives have been an important ally in the expansion of persimmon cultivation, contributing to adding value to production and facilitating access to markets. According to the cooperative, the average price currently paid to producers in the municipality is R$2 per kilo of fruit.

national cultivation

In Brazil, most of the persimmon production is intended for consumption in its natural state. However, the fruit can also be processed to make vinegar and the traditional persimmon raisin, which is highly appreciated by consumers of Japanese origin.

In well-managed orchards, an adult plant can yield between 100 and 150 kilos of fruit per year. Harvesting takes place when the fruits lose their green color and reach a reddish-yellow tone, indicating the ideal point of ripeness.