American kiwifruit importers are transitioning to new suppliers as Mediterranean operations ramp up and southern hemisphere growers wind down.
“We are currently transitioning between the southern hemisphere to northern hemisphere supply,” says Nick Pacia of A.J. Trucco, Inc., a wholesaler based out of New York City. “We’re finishing up New Zealand and Chilean seasons. Our Italian season is currently beginning.” Pacia adds that his business is also sourcing domestically from California right now and is expecting Greek kiwifruit shipments to begin in the coming weeks.
Pacia says that kiwifruit prices have fallen from last year. A shortage of crop in 2014 led to higher prices. 2015, however, has seen the opposite happen. “This year the Chilean season was longer than anticipated,” Pacia explains. “As far as the Northern Hemisphere supply, there is an increase of supply for this season.”
Demand, however, remains strong, and A.J. Trucco – which runs its own “KiwiStar” label – has been buoyed by American interest in speciality varieties.
“We are in the second season offering our KiwiStar Gold kiwifruit from Italy,” says Pacia. “Due to a successful season last year, we decided to grow our program this year and we have more volume.” A.J. Trucco’s gold kiwifruit will be sold in bulk and 2 lb. clamshells this year, along with the company’s green and organic green kiwis.
For more information:
Nick Pacia
A.J. Trucco, Inc.
Tel: +1 718-893-3060