PhotosAuction co-operative Frofruco, Hogeschool Gent and Province East Flanders launching a first for Belgium
Kiwi berry newest fruit variety from Belgian soil
Fruit- and vegetable auction house Profruco and the department of bio-sciences of the Hogeschool Gent have been successful in optimising the growth conditions to cultivate a kiwi berry variety in our country. The kiwi berry of the Actinidia arguta is a small kiwi, about the size of a grape. In contrast with the "normal" kiwi, the kiwi berry has a thin hairless skin and the fruit can be eaten in its entirity, just as a berry or a grape. As far as food value and taste are concerned the sweet kiwi berry is as good as the normal kiwi.
It is noteworthy that the Belgian kiwi berries grow so well in our moderate climate.
Kiwi berry newest fruit variety from Belgian soil
Fruit- and vegetable auction house Profruco and the department of bio-sciences of the Hogeschool Gent have been successful in optimising the growth conditions to cultivate a kiwi berry variety in our country. The kiwi berry of the Actinidia arguta is a small kiwi, about the size of a grape. In contrast with the "normal" kiwi, the kiwi berry has a thin hairless skin and the fruit can be eaten in its entirity, just as a berry or a grape. As far as food value and taste are concerned the sweet kiwi berry is as good as the normal kiwi.
It is noteworthy that the Belgian kiwi berries grow so well in our moderate climate.
Kiwis which are in our shops at present have been imported from New Zealand, Italy or France. Th classic kiwi Actinidia deliciosa needs a warm climate. The kiwi berry, also known as "Siberian gooseberry" can with the correct growing techniques
be grown in the open without problems. The fast growing plant can stand during the
winter period of rest temperatures of minus 30 degrees and that is why in the United States the plant is also called "Hardy kiwi" sometimes. In addition this fruit is resistent against illnesses and fruit plagues and thus offers possibilities for the organic growth or to act as wind breaks to limit wind damage. The Hogeschool Gent
and Profruco are convinced of the real possibilities for kiwi berry culture. At the moment they are working with a number of estates with a combined area of more than 4,5HA, from which the first fruits will be harvested this year. This opens the door to general commercialisation of the cultivation and consumption of the Belgian
kiwi berry.
Diversification highly necessary
Change of food makes one hungry. In a society in which consumers are used to be surprised it is important to introduce new products to the market on a regular basis. Fruitgrowers have also understood this. In addition the kiwi berry is very interesting to strawberry- and other soft fruit growers, who complain bitterly about high energy costs for hothouse cultivation. Thanks to open air cultivation kiwi berries, which are in the same way as strawberries a soft kind of fruit, can be an interesting additional culture and niche product. "Profruco plays an important role as co-operative by thinking about diversification and extension of the assortment. We are convinced that the kiwi berry offers a unique opportunity for fruit growers to arrive at a perfect remunerative product combination" as per Koen Torfs, general director Profruce.
Open to everybody
The commercial production of kiwi berries is rather new. Estates of 40HA are no exception in the United States and New Zealand. Smaller commercial estates are in Chile, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Japan. Profruco uses open varieties in Belgium, which are available to everybody. Growers do not need to pay to utilise this new fruit variety.
Tasty and nutritious
The small soft kiwi berry can without peeling or cutting be eaten whole out of the hand, but also combines very well with e.g. strawberries, grapes and red fruit in deserts. The kiwi berry is a soft fruit and juicy with a definite sweet taste. The choice of variety in the plantations, which is still to be perfected, guarantees a range of patterns and colours. As per the normal kiwi the kiwi berry is rich in vitamin C and minerals like calcium, magnesium and manganese. The vitamin C content is on average twice as high as in a lemon. Also this new fruit is an anti-oxidant bomb with the large quantity of polyfenols. The kiwi berry contains approximately 300ppm polyfenol: 1,4 times as much as in a normal kiwi and 8,8 times more than in an apple. The sugar content is also good in a kiwi berry: the Actinidia arguta contains glucose, fructose and sucrose in a balanced ratio.
"We are very proud of this first for the Belgian fruit culture, which will offer to both the consumer and the grower a lot of advantages. Thanks to the very good co-operation between the Hogeschool Gent, the provincial council of East-Flanders and co-operative auction house Frofruco Belgium now has a fruit variety with a high
"We are very proud of this first for the Belgian fruit culture, which will offer to both the consumer and the grower a lot of advantages. Thanks to the very good co-operation between the Hogeschool Gent, the provincial council of East-Flanders and co-operative auction house Frofruco Belgium now has a fruit variety with a high
value and many economic perspectives for our growers" says Flip Debersaques of Hoogeschool Gent, department of bio sciences and landscape architecture.
The first crop of Belgian kiwi berries will be in the shops next year.
Click here for photo report
The first crop of Belgian kiwi berries will be in the shops next year.
Click here for photo report
Publication date: 9/30/2008
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