37th edition of the IKO Conference

The annual IKO (International Kiwifruit Organization) convention was held in Bordeaux (France) on September 9-12. The main global producers took part - Italy, Chile, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Greece and France.

As usual, the event was an occasion to discuss the various topics involved in kiwi cultivation such as production, commercialization and plant health.

CSO Italy attended representing Italy together with its associates Apo Conerpo, Agrintesa, Consorzio Jingold, Naturitalia and Spreafico.

Top left: Ugo Palara (Agrintesa technical manager), Patrizio Neri (Consorzio Jingold president), Giovanni Casiraghi (Spreafico procurement manager), Tomas Bosi (CSO Italy statistical office). Bottom left: Cristian Moretti (Agrintesa general director), Elisa Macchi (CSO Italy director), Monica Guizzardi (Apo Conerpo technical manager), Gabriele Ferri ( Naturitalia general director).

As for commercialization, IKO delegates agreed on the importance of traceability when it comes to exchanges between producer countries.

Production estimates for the 2018/19 season were rather interesting. Excluding golden kiwis, which are controlled exclusively by consortia and commercialized differently by Hayward, production in the northern hemisphere (excluding China as information is lacking) should be of around 732 thousand tons, 6% more than last year but 3% less than the 2014-2017 average. Quantities will diminish in Portugal while Greece confirmed last year's volumes.

As for Italy, the main European producer, levels are back to normal after a year with exceptionally limited volumes, yet they remain well below the country's potential. Around 373 thousand tons of green kiwis are estimated, 13% more than 2017 but 16% less than the average of the four previous years.

People are increasingly interested in golden kiwis, so much so that the land dedicated to their production has increased, especially in Italy. Over 60,000 tons are expected this year thanks to the new orchards.

Overall, kiwi production in the northern hemisphere is estimated at almost 800 thousand tons, 9% more than the previous year and similar to 2016.

The 38th edition of the IKO Conference in 2019 will be held in Italy. .