The amount of kiwifruit imported in the United States has been plentiful this year, partly due to an Italian import window that has stretched out longer than usual.“The volume of imported kiwifruit is about 30 percent more than for a normal year,” said Chris Kragie of Western Fresh Marketing. A large portion of imported fruit is coming from Chile, where harvesting of fruit intended for export to the United States, Latin America and China commenced the second week of March. Kragie believes the current exchange rate might have attracted the attention of Chilean exporters, and that might be the reason for big volumes this year. The longer Italian season might also be a reason.
“There's been a longer window for Italian shippers, and prices have been lower due to there being more fruit,” said Kragie. On April 17, prices for a 10-kilogram container of loose Hayward kiwifruit from Chile were between $16.00 and $18.00 for sizes 23 through to 27 at the Los Angeles port of entry. At the Philadelphia port of entry, prices for a container of those sizes were between $15.00 and $16.00.
“The market is holding steady,” said Kragie. “There's not much room for the market to go down. The best case scenario is that it goes up, but I don't see that happening.”
For more information:
Chris Kragie
Western Fresh Marketing
+1 559 662 0301