In the 2013 season, a total of around 220,000 tonnes of kiwis were produced in Chile. In the following season, severe frosts caused production volumes to collapse to 100,000 tonnes.
"Production volumes this season will still be lower than in 2013, but in theory we should come close to 200,000 tonnes. In any case, the impact of such a severe frost is not just to be felt in the current season, but will also affect the fertility of the buds next year," said Carlos Cruzat, president of the Kiwi Committee.
Carlos Cruzat, president of the Kiwi Committee.
The Committee's prospects point to a production volume of about 170,000 tonnes, i.e. 20% under Chile's usual production, not taking last year's season into account, which was one to forget.
But not only Chile will have a lower production volume. New Zealand will go from a record-breaking 300,000 tonnes of green kiwi down to 230,000 tonnes, as some 2,500 hectares were re-grafted with yellow kiwi. Meanwhile, Italy, the world's largest exporter, has also lost many orchards to PSA and frosts in Piedmont and, according to Carlos, the business is perceived as "risky" by many Italian producers, who refuse to replant the crop.
"Taking into account the figures achieved by the world's three largest producers, the global supply of green kiwis should drop by about 20%. This volume will not be recovered in just one or two years. Even if the entire acreage lost was replanted simultaneously, it would take at least five years for production volumes to recover," explains Carlos.
This lower supply of green kiwi and high demand from Asian countries has driven part of the fruit that was usually sold in the European market to markets like China, which according to Carlos, are more stable and pay better prices.
"Volumes are smaller and distribution is better. Fruit storage programmes are longer and greater in number, which consequently reduces pressure on the markets. We believe that prices will significantly improve in these four or five years, with opportunities for all growers to produce better quality and add value to their fruit, and for supermarket chains to introduce ripening programmes," explains Carlos.
And it is clear that increased global demand and rising prices must be accompanied by better quality. "If consumers have access to a riper, better-tasting product, they will be more satisfied, will buy more often and everyone in the business will be happier," concludes Carlos Cruzat.
More information:
Carlos Cruzat
Kiwi Committee
T: +56 2 2472 4783
ccruzat@comitedelkiwi.cl
www.comitedelkiwi.cl