A three-year planting program for Zespri's RubyRed kiwifruit will begin next year in orchards south of Rome. The Zespri board approved the commercial release of RubyRed in Italy in February, allowing 170 hectares to be planted from 2026 to 2028. The program uses part of the 1,000-hectare allocation approved by shareholders in 2019 for new varieties.
Valeria Racemoli, community engagement lead for Zespri's northern hemisphere operations, said partner suppliers will identify growers suited for RubyRed supply contracts. Selection will be based on orchard conditions, labour availability, geographical location, and agronomic capability. Zespri will review these recommendations and confirm participants following an audit. She noted that access to markets makes Italy suitable for RubyRed and that the variety aligns well with existing kiwifruit management schedules for flowering, thinning, and harvesting.
Production of SunGold in the northern hemisphere continues to expand after a favourable producer vote in 2024. Zespri's European office oversees approximately 1,500 growers across Italy, Greece, France, Japan, and South Korea, managing nearly 5,000 hectares of SunGold vines. Last year, these growers produced 19.9 million trays of SunGold, with a target of 65 million trays by 2035. Most growers are in Italy, where 1,154 manage about 4,110 hectares. France has 99 growers producing across 443 hectares, while Japan and South Korea have 228 growers managing 417 hectares combined.
This year, 70 hectares of SunGold will be planted in Greece following trials, forming part of a six-year northern hemisphere expansion plan.
Racemoli said northern hemisphere production operates under the Global Supply (ZGS) program, created more than 20 years ago by New Zealand growers. The program outlines orchard management and fruit quality requirements aligned with Zespri's New Zealand standards. Only growers meeting these requirements are eligible for ZGS participation.
In the 2024–25 season, Zespri sold 220.9 million trays of New Zealand and northern hemisphere kiwifruit, with ZGS contributing 26.5 million trays, including 19.9 million SunGold and 6.6 million Green. This season, ZGS is expected to supply 30 million trays, including more than 24 million SunGold, an increase of 22 percent, and 7 million trays of procured Green. Italy will supply 2.5 million trays of Green kiwifruit and Greece 4.5 million.
Racemoli said northern hemisphere production supports year-round supply. She also noted that Zespri varieties compete with other kiwifruit selections developed by different breeders and grown in Europe, Chile, and South Africa.
Source: Farmers Weekly
