Argentina's kiwi seeks export opportunities
"This product has a high export potential if we increase production levels," the specialist said.
"Kiwi originated in China and New Zealand, but it seems to have found its place in Sierra de los Padres, the best place to produce it because it is at the same latitude as those countries," said the head of the Chamber of Producers of Kiwi from Mar del Plata, Sebastián Elena.
The mountainous area of Sierra de los Padres, which is 18 kilometers west of Mar del Plata, on the route 226, became a leader in kiwi production.
This locality markets this product throughout the country and has even achieved to export it to Greece, Spain, Italy, France, and Mexico.
Despite the boost this crop has had in recent years, Yommi stressed that they only managed to supply the domestic market but that there may be great export opportunities.
Meanwhile Elena said that "Sierra de los Padres, which has yields of around 30,000 kilos per hectare and a quality product that makes it a market leader, supplies 30% of the domestic market."
The rest of the domestic consumption is supplied with Chilean production that, in the opinion of Sebastian Elena, "has a lower quality and costs much less than our production."
Fernandez reappraised the work done to export to Europe "with the Chamber of Producers and the INTA Balcarce, that gives us lectures, trainings and supervises that our product has the required seal of quality. I am proud to export my product with the endorsement of the INTA and SENASA, which means that our work is good and that it is backed by the required health standards."
The undersecretary of Productive Development of the Party of General Pueyrredon, Alberto Becchi, said: "In terms of logistics, we are managing all the resources so that the Port of Mar del Plata is the starting point of exports of this product that is already recognized because of its quality and guarantee."
The official said that, in September, a producer would represent the region in the MacFrut Fair in Rimini (Italy), where he would promote the product thanks to the efforts made by the foreign trade area of the municipality of Mar del Plata.
"We want the international market to know the benefits, quality, and the excellent work done in our area so that our producers have a wider market and so that they rely on the support of the government," he said.
Meanwhile, Elena stated that she had recently held a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Agro-Industry of the province of Buenos Aires.
"We agreed to work together so that our product reaches more countries," Sebastian Elena said.
According to Yommi, even though there are no final official production figures for kiwi, there is a lack of production volume.
However, he said, if more people start producing kiwi, they would improve the crop for the domestic market and there would be very good opportunities to export this fruit.
Source: Telam.com.ar