Last Friday scientists, investors and colleagues from the fruit and vegetable sector met at KG Fruit for the presentation on the progress of the cultivation of the kiwi berry.
Owner Domus de Jonge started the cultivation of the Asian mini kiwi on 5 hectares four years ago as an addition to the cultivation of apples and pears. The search for a new type of fruit started with Google for Domus: "By typing in the search term 'new type of fruit' I found the kiwi berry. I didn't know much else about it and when you start something new, you have to ask a lot of questions and mainly ask the right people the right questions. It's hit and miss. A lot of people won't tell you more than you already know. You have to watch out for that." The presentations showed that Domus has now gathered the right people around him.
The guests included the University of Gent
R&D manager Pietro Rando of biocosmetica company CRB Benelux opened the afternoon with a presentation on the health aspects of the kiwi berry: "Just under the peel are important substances that are good for the skin. When freeze dried the substances are preserved in the kiwi berry and support a natural skin care product." To preserve all the health aspects and the quality of the kiwi berry, Domus is collaborating with Murre Technique on the best processing method of this due to the small size of the labour intensive product.
Bastiaan Hoogerland presented the technique for processing the kiwi berry
Process advisor Bastiaan Hoogerland presented the state of affairs in which the focus is on mechanically de-stalking and optical sorting. At the end of the process the berries are caught in a water bath of 4 degrees Celsius. This slows down the ripening process and the kiwi berry stays good for longer in retail. "Together with Domus we are continuing to look at optimising processing."
Pietro Rando (left) researches the health benefits of the kiwi berry
After the presentations there was the opportunity to look at the state of affairs in the orchard. There are around 5 hectares of the kiwi berry varieties Ananasnaya, Weiki and Jumbo. Of these, Ananasnaya is sold most and Jumbo is the largest. This means Jumbo produces more in kilos but less in numbers.
First Domus sold the product through the auction three years ago he started collaborating closely with Nature's Pride, one of the traders who believe in the possibilities of the kiwi berry. They will sell the kiwi berries in the European retail.
Centre: Pieter Aalbers of Alliance
Frits de Bruin: "Around six tonnes have been harvested now. This will become 10 to 12 tonnes and in five years we want to reach 50 tonnes. By using the right storage techniques we will be able to offer the kiwi berry in December."
Frits van de Bruin (left) of Nature's Pride praises the collaboration
The kiwi berry is still a rare sight in the retail. This is why Domus hopes there will be more growers in the future. "With more cultivation the product will become increasingly 'normal' in the supermarket. I believe in vertical collaboration within the chain in which we as growers hold the reigns. This way we can make the kiwi berry a mainstream product with an exclusive earning model. Collaboration and sharing is multiplying."
More information:
KG Fruit
Domus de Jonge
E: domus.de.jonge@kgfruit.nl
T: 0031 (0) 6 532 966 88
www.kgfruit.nl