In mid-August there were rumours from the New-Zealand kiwi sector that there were real symptoms of PSA found in the more tolerant Zespri SunGold variety. The symptoms also appear to be found in the EnzaGold. It's not yet completely clear what these signs mean for the cultivation. The Italian growers' experience shows that the growers that actively maintain their orchards are less affected than those who are less active.
Spring, the critical period
According to Nele Moorthamers, marketing manager of Zespri Europe, there hasn't been much positivity in the kiwi sector in the last few months. "Many growers have planted the new G3 variety. In total it's over 2000 hectares. In New Zealand we are moving towards the spring and that's a very critical period for PSA. It was the same last year and of course there is a big focus and monitoring in PSA at SunGold, but this is the same for all kiwi varieties.""We know that no kiwi fruit is resistant to PSA. But, research has showed that the SunGold variety (G3) is more tolerant than the current Gold variety (Hort 16A). We will have to wait and see exactly how tolerant. There is a big focus in New Zealand on the appearance of PSA on the young Gold3 ranks. But this procession of PSA is not unexpected and the whole sector is working together collectively to find the right tools to influence this. We keep motivating the growers to keep monitoring and to take care of their kiwi orchards as well as possible and to fight this bacteria like this."
Positive reception
"Marketing the new variety is going very well. In Europe SunGold has been enthusiastically received. Consumer tests show a great amount of appreciation for this new variety and in distribution we also see positivity. This year we will be selling limited volumes as an addition to the ZespriGold season and the taste, quality and shelf life are being received positively by the trade."www.zespri.eu