At almost 1,700m above sea level, Nooyenskopje in Magoebaskloof, Limpopo, has had an exceptional kiwi crop, running across all colours.
“In February we started with kiwi berries of which we had our first commercial crop this year. The yellow and red kiwis followed in mid-March, and by the end of March the Hayward kiwi harvest started,” says Danie Meyer, one of South Africa’s largest kiwi producers.
A trial block for all of the world’s commercial kiwi varieties – green, red and gold, plus kiwi berries – has long been established on the farm.
Yellow kiwis were exported under the Nooyenskopje brand to Spain and Singapore, Hong Kong by Origin Fruit.
“On the kiwi berries, and the green kiwis, especially, it was a record crop with which we supplied the Shoprite Checkers group nationwide,” he says, noting that demand was so strong that they couldn’t stay ahead with orders but 6ha of new plantings will in the near future ensure sufficient supply for the local demand.
He observes that domestic prices for Hayward kiwis have been fantastic.
“If I look at how stable prices remained on green kiwis and sales prices have been very high, almost R10 for a fruit on the retail shelves. We’re now at the end of the volumes for Shoprite Checkers and then we also market our one kg boxes on the municipal markets.”
Danie Meyer in the prolific kiwi orchards of Nooyenskopje, Magoebaskloof
Towards next month, South Africans will eat imported kiwifruit from New Zealand, Greece and Italy but the latter has had significant flood damage to its kiwi orchards while New Zealand’s crop has been late.
“We’ve been so blessed by the wonderful crop we had this season,” Danie remarks.
For more information:
Danie Meyer
Nooyenskopje
Email: danie@nooyenskopje.co.za