"The fruit is very popular both domestically and abroad, and Italy is one of the main producers worldwide," explains Paolo Carra, Chairman of Coldiretti Mantova.
In addition, the positive sales trend (with new clients in the Arab Emirates, Russia and South Korea) pushes growers to expand their orchards. Wholesale prices hover between €0.30 and €0.40, with quotations depending on grades. Yields should be between 350 and 370 quintals per hectare.
Lucio Speranzini, owner of 10 ha of kiwis, says that he will "expand the orchards because demand is increasing. Yields can reach 500 quintals per hectare, although there usually are some problems caused by sudden temperature chances or diseases."
Orchards increased also in other provinces like Brescia (from 32.4 to 54.6 ha), Sondrio (from 14.5 to 16.2) and Pavia (from 8.4 to 10), although they decreased in Cremona (from 23 to 21) and Bergamo (from 8.2 to 6.1).
Gianfranco Tosi, who cultivates almost 5 ha of kiwi trees, explains that "demand has grown in the past few years and three quarters of our production is shipped abroad. In each ha, there are between 600 and 650 trees that need a lot of attention. Currently, we are in the germination phase, so weather and rain play a strategic role."