The Campania region has always been the largest producer of persimmons (21,000 t per year - 50 per cent of the Italian production). Over 60 per cent of production is obtained from old plantations. 40 per cent is produced in new orchards cultivated with modern and rational techniques. The most frequent cultivar is 'Kaki Tipo'. There is also a certain diffusion of local cultivars, principally used as pollinators of 'Kaki Tipo'. The main difficulty in persimmon cultivation is the attack of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly. Pollinated fruits of 'Kaki Tipo', and also those produced by local pollinators, are absorbed by southern Italy's markets. Northern Italy's markets prefer seedless fruits, to be eaten soft. Traditionally appreciated in Campania for their peculiar taste are the fruits of 'Cioccolatino' variety. Unlike other fruit species, which are marketed in other regions, persimmons are processed and marketed exclusively by single or co-operative structures in Campania.