Kiwifruit of Italy announces a general delay in the ripening of fruit
Aware that picking the fruit when it is at the right degree of ripening is one of the key aspects in getting an optimum organoleptic quality of consumer kiwifruit, the association has implemented a plan to monitor the progress of the ripening of orchards in Italy.
Initial checks carried out since the beginning of October have revealed a general delay in ripening. This fact has been confirmed by the parameters measured and compared against those recorded in the same period of the last season. This is mainly due to the seasonal trend.
The mean data measured in the different distribution areas gave values of sugar content around 5 brix degree and 8 Kgs firmness during week 42.
It should be noted that the reduced minimum temperatures at night and the resulting thermal shock between day and night recorded in the northern regions over the last few days should help start the ripening processes, so an improvement in the sugar level starting from week 44 is expected.
We can therefore predict that picking in the northern Italy regions could start from week 44 onwards, depending on the areas and parameters measured at the individual farms.
As for Lazio and the other southern regions where temperatures have continued to stay high, picking is expected to begin at around week 45. There may be differences depending on the distribution areas and orchards in this case as well.
With the goal of planning the sale of the fruit at the right stage of ripeness, the first shipments of Hayward kiwifruit for this season of the association member companies are expected to start during week 45 for overseas destinations, and during week 46 for those going to Europe.
The undersigned companies remain at the customers' disposal to provide additional details for optimum planning of the sales.
Contacts:
Kiwifruit of Italy srl
Via Boldrini, 24
40121 Bologna - Italy
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.kiwitaly.com
