Persimmons market in Oceania

Earlier Report Observations

The persimmon market in Australia began the period as a niche industry, with production concentrated around Sydney and sold largely at local farmers' markets. Consumer education was critical to overcome barriers to consumption, such as the need to eat the fruit when fully soft, and marketing campaigns funded by Hort Innovation aimed to build awareness and confidence. The introduction of a Spanish persimmon variety in 2019 was seen as a key step toward mainstream acceptance, encouraging growers to expand plantings for future growth.

Market volume fluctuated in the early years but grew steadily from 2020 onward. Marketing efforts continued to drive domestic demand by educating consumers on selection and usage, supported by distribution through major wholesale markets in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. However, in 2022, heavy rains and flooding in key growing regions of South East Queensland and the Sydney Basin disrupted fruit development and quality, temporarily stabilizing market volume at around 4 000 tons.

The market surged in 2023 to nearly 5 000 tons, valued at 16.4 million US dollars, as earlier plant expansions bore fruit and consumer preference for fresh, healthy options with sweet flavors like persimmon strengthened. Ongoing marketing campaigns promoted the fruit's nutritional benefits, particularly in autumn, aligning with seasonal demand for immune support.

Production persimmons in Oceania

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of persimmons, 2017-2020

World map of production of persimmons, 2017-2020

Oceania's persimmon production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 4 424 tonnes of persimmons, marking a 4.3% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Oceania in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the value of persimmon production in Oceania reached 12 501 thousand US dollars, up 17.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value increased by 31.1%, averaging 9.4% per year. The most significant growth occurred in 2018, with a 19.0% rise, while 2019 saw a decline of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Oceania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports persimmons from Oceania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Oceania exported 2 293 tonnes of persimmons, a sharp decrease of 24.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 20.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 027 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 29.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Oceania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Oceania's persimmon exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. Singapore accounted for 17.0% of export volume, Thailand for 16.1%, and Malaysia for 11.0%, together making up 44.1% of total flows, indicating no single market dominated.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Oceania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, persimmon exports from Oceania totaled 6 479 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant contraction of 14.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 5.8%, averaging a 2.0% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2018 at 6 343 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 7 613 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Oceania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The structure of persimmon exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Thailand held 18.5% of export value, Singapore 15.8%, and Malaysia 8.9%, collectively accounting for 43.2% of total flows, with no country establishing a clearly dominant position.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Oceania in value, 2017-2020

Imports persimmons to Oceania

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. In 2017, imports hit a low of 1 335 tonnes, while 2019 saw a peak of 1 866 tonnes, representing a 1.7-fold difference. In 2020, Oceania's persimmon imports reached 1 335 tonnes, down 28.4% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a surge of 1 266.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Oceania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the primary source for persimmon imports to Oceania, accounting for 3.1% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Oceania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Oceania's persimmon imports declined in 2020. Import value amounted to 1 948 thousand US dollars, a decrease of 19.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 15.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 426 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Oceania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, the United States and South Korea played leading roles in persimmon imports to Oceania in value terms, together accounting for 4.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Oceania in value, 2017-2020