During the last two decades, consumption habits have changed, which is why several agricultural products have had a boom in terms of demand. Nowadays, it's happening with the Hass avocado, but it also happened with the kiwi several years ago. The boom of this fruit mainly benefited Chile, New Zealand, and Italy, i.e. the largest producers of kiwi worldwide.
According to Hugo Corales, the director of ProChile, during 2017 Chilean kiwi exports amounted to US $184 million. The United States, China, and Russia were the biggest consumers. Colombia imported US $ 4.4 million.
According to Javier Londoño, the manager of Grupo Londoño, a company dedicated to the import and export of fruits, (despite not growing this fruit themselves, as Colombia's climatic conditions are not suitable for its cultivation), domestic demand has increased over the years.
According to Londoño, consumption increased because of the fruit's properties, which include improving people's digestion. Colombia imports 40 to 50 containers of kiwi a year. The primary supplier for most of the year is Chile, which has a harvest from mid-February to August. Then they import it from the United States, Italy, or Portugal. Even though New Zealand developed this crop, importing from that country is expensive.
When the harvest in Chile ends, prices tend to rise, according to the entrepreneur. In December, for example, a kilo of kiwi can cost $ 12,000 pesos. Currently, Londoño sells that same amount for $ 4,000 pesos.
Carlos Molina, the manager of Fruta Fino, an importer of fruit, said that the biggest consumption of kiwi in the country took place in Bogota, which is followed by Medellin. There has been an increase in Cali and in the Coffee Region. The Caribbean coast is just taking to the habit of consuming this fruit.
"The relations between Chile and Colombia in the agricultural foods field are excellent. We have our eyes firmly set in Colombia and our commercial exchanges demonstrate this. We believe that we can be a strategic partner in the development of Colombian agriculture.
Chile currently exports US $ 15,800 million in food. We stand out for our apples, grapes, blueberries, plums, and kiwis. This, thanks to the development of a quality export chain that meets the parameters of many countries," said Corales.
The director said that, even though Colombia isn't a producer of kiwi, the goal for Chilean companies is to set up in the country to take advantage of the country's economic, and natural wealth of thermal floors and soils conditions.
Source: agronegocios.co