According to information provided from the Chilean Kiwi Committee, in terms of commercial results, this campaign was better than the previous ones. The scarce supply of kiwis from the northern hemisphere at the beginning of the season and the lower volumes of New Zealand kiwi allowed the favorable entry and acceptance of the Chilean fruit (which had the highest market share at the beginning of the southern hemisphere's campaign), managing to maintain the prices of the northern hemisphere's season and even improving sales prices, which were higher than in the 2016 season in all markets.
Even though there is only enough fruit left for the Latin American market, the country is very close to achieving this season's forecast. By week 39, Chile had exported 170,214 tons, a slightly lower volume than by the same week of the previous season (-2%) but similar to the volume initially estimated for this 2017 (175,000 tons). 98% of all exports to date correspond to the Hayward variety.
In 2017, Europe has been the main destination of the Chilean kiwi, with the reception of 55,644 tons (33%), followed by the Far East with 20% of the total.
Shipments to Europe, not including Russia, increased by 9% this year and shipments to Russia by 10%. Exports to the remaining destinations decreased. The highest drops in exports were to the Far East and Latin America, as they decreased by around -14% and -11%, respectively. Meanwhile, exports to the Middle East decreased by 7% and exports to North America remained similar to 2016.
The campaign
The Kiwi Committee report indicates that the successive heat waves recorded in much of Chile during summer caused a general advance in the production of all fruits, including kiwi, which was harvested around 2 weeks before time, when compared to the 2016 season.
The high temperatures also led to a higher production of small calibers. However, the fruits achieved a very good internal quality, an optimum content of dry matter and soluble solids, which gave them a very good taste. In addition their condition was favorable for long storage, which allowed producers to have a good quality product up until the beginning of October.
Initial forecast for 2018
The production trend is quietly going down. Even though several hectares of plants have been uprooted, they were mostly of old and low productivity orchards, which do not significantly affect total production. Despite it being too early to make estimates, the volume projected for 2018 is expected to be slightly lower and close to the 170,000 tons exported. The northern hemisphere is expected to have a lower production of green kiwi due to spring frost and an increase in the volumes of yellow kiwi from the new plantations.
Source: SimFRUIT as reported by the Kiwi Committee