This red kiwi variety was under the spotlight at the Madrid Fruit Attraction 2019 trade fair. The new variety called HFR18* (Hongshi) "ROSSY"® developed by the Sichuan Provincial Deyang Academy of Natural Resources Sciences, director Li Mingzhang, belongs to the species Actinidia chinensis and has a characteristic inflorescence and high fertility similar to Hayward (green kiwi), but is about 20 days earlier than Hayward.
The fruit presents an ovoid shape, regular hairless skin, and is not damaged by contact, unlike other varieties. The flesh is classified as "red", although partially (40%), but still redder than other "red" varieties on the market. The columella is tender, the average size of the fruit is 100 grams with a shelf life of 4/5 months and the productivity is on average 35/40 tons / hectare.
The fruit is very appealing and the taste is well balanced, with a fresh bouquet aroma that recalls small fruits, mainly blueberries and raspberries, high soluble solids content, and interesting organoleptic characteristics with medium acidity and high sugar (16/18 degrees brix). The fruit has a high concentration of vitamin C and is rich in anthocyanins (the red part), which are also very beneficial to the human body, as they act as antioxidants.
The Ferrara-based company "Fruitgrowing Equipment and Service" is the exclusive licensee for all countries in the world, except China, having obtained the rights to exploit the variety.
The commercial strategy will be managed by the OKiwi® Club through the granting of exclusive sub-licences both for the propagation of the botanical material, with the payment of royalties per plant, and for the cultivation and marketing of the fruits through the payment of royalties (Kg/fruit).
There are currently about 10 hectares planted in Italy, 10 in Spain and Portugal. For the next campaign, the surfaces in these countries will be increased and plantings will be introduced in France, Greece, Chile and California.
After having protected the variety by patenting it in the countries suitable for cultivation, Fruitgrowing Equipment and Service has granted sub-licences for the propagation of plant materials, starting with Vivai F.lli Zanzi, the exclusive producer for production throughout Europe, and then seeking out non-EU partners.
At the same time, it granted sub-licences for the production and marketing of the fruits to important companies and/or commercial groups such as: Origine Group for Italy, Fruitgrowing Quality SL for Spain and Portugal, Peruzzo Sarl for France, Dole Company for Chile and Argentina, Family Tree Farms for Peru, Mexico, Australia, South Africa and also Seeka Pty, Ltd for New Zealand.
Contact / information:
Vivai F.lli Zanzi
Via del Gorgo 137
Loc. Gorgo di Fossanova San Marco
44124 Ferrara
Phone.: +39 (0)532 719072 Email: vivaizanzi@vivaizanzi.it
Website: www.vivaizanzi.it