"While in Belgium and the Netherlands the plants are still in bloom, our kiwi berries already have the ideal calibre for marketing and only need to acquire the right Brix levels and colour. Within two weeks, we will start with the harvest," explains José Emanuel Machado, manager of the Portuguese company Mini-Kiwi Land, which has joined the international group of producers KIWIBERRY, which has farms in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
According to José Emanuel Machado, "there is still very little technical knowledge about this product. With the knowledge of Dr Filip Debersaques, of the University of Ghent, we have managed to adapt this crop to Portugal."
"Three years ago, we started with a small experimental farm with 200 plants and 6 different varieties to check the crop's adaptability to the climate in northern Portugal, in the region of Minho, close to Braga, as the area has the ideal climatic conditions and soil to grow this product," affirms the producer.
"Right now, we have a little over one hectare with three suitable commercial varieties, namely the Geneva, Ananasnaya and Maki. We are dealing with a small production, because it is the first commercial year for the product. The plants are two years old and still small. We hope to market about 3,000 kilos of kiwi berries."
As pointed out by José Emanuel Machado, "it is a niche market and therefore we cannot think of producing at a large scale. It requires a lot of work and investment, with production techniques and management that have nothing to do with those for standard kiwis, such as the popular Hayward."
As for prices, José Emanuel explains that, in the Netherlands and Belgium, where labour is more expensive, producers get about 9 Euro per kilo, while in Portugal he estimates that the product could reach between 6 and 7 Euro per kilo at origin.
"So far, the biggest market for us, which will absorb virtually all of our production, is Germany, as there are some consumer habits there already and it is also a strategic point for distribution to other parts of Europe," he points out.
"The success of the network of producers in Belgium, repeatedly mentioned by Professor Dr Filip Debersaques, is an example that we want to replicate in Portugal. To make this a reality, we'll need the support and cooperation of those producers who are keen on growing kiwi berries," concludes José Emanuel Machado.
For more information:
José Emanuel Machado
Mini-Kiwi Land
T: +351 917 054 385
emanuel.machado1960@gmail.com