According to kiwi producers, Chilean fruit exports will face a complex scenario in 2016. The growing production in Italy, Greece, and Chile's biggest competitor, New Zealand, will cause an inevitable fall in prices of the kiwi harvested in Chile. Additionally, the new technologies that allow these countries to store their kiwis practically all year are beginning to shape what will be a narrow window for the sale of Chilean kiwi in the northern hemisphere.
"The start of the Chilean season is always conditioned by the end of the season in the northern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere has recently been characterized by a much larger volume than usual,"said the chairman of the Kiwi Committee, Carlos Cruzat.
In previous years the Europeans even finished their season in early April. However, in 2015 they saved fruit until mid-July. Thus, the sales window of the most important market for Chilean kiwi, where they send 50% of their shipments, is becoming considerably smaller.
Additionally, New Zealand's offer continues to grow.
"Compared to previous years, our competition in the Southern Hemisphere is increasing its production very significantly and they are strongly approaching Asia. Therefore, when Chile approaches Asia it will find that Zespri, new Zealand's biggest kiwi exporter, is going to have a very strong presence there and Europe will still have an important stock when we want to go there," said Cruzat.
This, he stated, could mean the Chilean kiwi is going to have a slower season. Just like in 2015 when they pressured the market with higher prices, which caused them to obtain a lower turnover than what they expected earlier in the season.
"That's why Chile has to be careful, so that this doesn't happen again in 2016 as there is the same amount or even more stock than in 2015. We have to be smart and sell fast without pressing the market for prices that we are not going to get," he said.
Cruzat said that in 2016 Chilean kiwi production should be around 160,000 and 170,000 tons, while in 2015 it amounted to 183,000 tons. Thus, the President of the Kiwi Committee asked producers to observe the market and to sell their stock in an orderly manner so as to maintain prices.
Strategies
Producers of Chilean kiwi agree that it will be a difficult season for the Chilean fruit. Their strategy for facing this season is to achieve higher quality.
"There currently is no room for a medium quality kiwi. Quality obtained in the orchards has to be optimal. Producers must also make sure that the soluble solids and dry matter at harvest time are adequate. We must also eliminate the use of hormones, which are still used a lot in Chile, as they have an effect on the fruit's quality and postharvest life," state Marcos Echeñique, who works at the Marketing Division of David del Curto.
"We're focused on getting only top quality kiwis. To do this, we have performed very intense thinning and fertilization work so we only obtain large and perfectly shaped fruit, which will facilitate the harvest as more than 90% of the fruit will be good for export and of the first category, " said Jose Miguel Diez, CEO of the Diez-Escobar company.
However, the David del Curto company, one of Chile's major fruit exporters, believes that the diversification of markets will be key in achieving a good season.
"We must try to avoid, depending on Europe, and seek to develop other markets, such as the Middle East, North Africa, China, Mexico, and Latin America in general," said Echenique. At the same time, he said, the country must have a good postharvest with an adequate segregation program to store the kiwi the necessary time ensuring its quality upon arrival to the markets, as this is key when it comes to wining the consumers' preference.
Finally, Echeñique said, its necessary to find new genes to expand the Chilean kiwi market. "We have to look for yellow flesh varieties. There's a big interest in this and it's currently being handled by only a few people. Chile still only has a few available alternatives that are commercially viable," he said.
Source: pulso.cl