Kiwifruit soaring in popularity in UAE
According to the survey, kiwifruit penetration in the UAE stands at 82%, leaving behind traditional markets like the US, which only registered 48%. Overall data from the survey also revealed that 66% of UAE consumers eat fresh fruit almost every day or more often, while the US only had 52%.
The survey was conducted across several markets including Italy, Spain, Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, USA, Mexico and the UAE by Fast Forward Ltd in 2012. The survey further revealed that one of the contributing factors for the UAE's high consumption of fresh fruit is the unique combination of choice from Asia, Europe, America and Africa.
Ben Hughes, Regional Market Manager for Middle East, India, Oceana and America (MEIOA), Zespri International Limited, said, "Kiwifruit is quite established in the UAE with about 40% of consumers claiming to eat kiwifruit once a week or more often and 67% eating once a month or more."
"The findings from the survey have been very encouraging for the UAE market where traditional fruit like Banana, Mango and Apple top the list with consumers. The Kiwifruit is making it on the consumers shopping list ahead of other fruit such as grapefruit and is purchased one to three times a week by shoppers," said Hughes.
Zespri Kiwifruit has been in the UAE and Middle East market for over 15 years and is distributed in the UAE by Fresh Fruits Company. The first shipment from New Zealand will import 50 tons or 500,000 Kiwifruit.
Source: ameinfo.com
