Italy: Bigger kiwi grades to do better

"This year, we have collected 50 thousand tons of green (Hayward) and golden (SunGold and Jingold) kiwis. It was an important year from a production point of view, as volumes saw a 17% increase with respect to last year. Our main worry, though, is not due to the volumes available but to the quality of the fruit, as there are a lot of smaller grades and lower quality fruit," explains Cristian Moretti (in the photo), general manager of Agrintesa.

According to Moretti, the first 2-3 months of the campaign were not very good as prices were unsatisfactory. "Bigger grades did better, whereas it will be more difficult to place the smaller ones, also because we want to be identified with a high-quality produce so it does not make sense to put them on the market."

The great number of smaller grades is due to the abundant blossoming and setting. "Probably growers did not use correct thinning techniques to manage fructification."

This does not apply to golden kiwis, though, "as both the market and perspectives are looking good."

Contacts:
Agrintesa
Via G. Galilei, 15
Faenza (RA)
Tel.: (+39) 0546 619111(+39) 0546 619111
Fax: (+39) 0546 621270
Email: info@agrintesa.com
Web: www.agrintesa.com

Author: Rossella Gigli
Copyright: www.freshplaza.it