The president of the Portuguese Association of Kiwi Growers (APK), Alberto Rebelo, said that it is "very likely" for the country's kiwi production "to be the same" as last year; around 22,000 tonnes.
"New plantations were set up two, three and four years ago, which are starting to bear fruit," he highlighted.
He said that if it was not for these new plantations, the losses in production could have reached up to 4,000 tonnes; 1,000 more than what INE estimated, due to frosts that affected the northern regions in March and April.
According to INE's data, the annual production of kiwis has been falling since 2009, year when a record production volume of 27,000 tonnes was reached.
Alberto Rebelo added that "many are willing to invest and work on kiwi growing," predicting that with the trees that are already planted "the national production of kiwis will double in the next two to three years."
According to the president of the association, there are between 1,300 and 1,400 kiwi producers in Portugal.
He said that if it was not for these new plantations, the losses in production could have reached up to 4,000 tonnes; 1,000 more than what INE estimated, due to frosts that affected the northern regions in March and April.
According to INE's data, the annual production of kiwis has been falling since 2009, year when a record production volume of 27,000 tonnes was reached.
Alberto Rebelo added that "many are willing to invest and work on kiwi growing," predicting that with the trees that are already planted "the national production of kiwis will double in the next two to three years."
According to the president of the association, there are between 1,300 and 1,400 kiwi producers in Portugal.