The Greek company Kolios Group SA, founded in 1957, started as an orange and mandarin producer. In 1996, kiwis were first introduced; a fruit that has continued to expand and today accounts for about 70% of the company’s production, with the other 30% corresponding to citrus and strawberries.General Manager Georgios Kolios affirms that “99% of the kiwis we produce are green Hayward, now, we are introducing a new club yellow-fleshed variety, the Soreli, first developed by the University of Udine, in Italy. Most will go to the Greek local market, where small volumes were already sold last year, but for next year we are also in negotiations to export it to China (via Shanghai), as well as Europe.”
In terms of volume, he explains that total production in 2015 should be of around 300 tonnes. “Over the next 8 to 10 years we plan to arrive to up to 2,000 tonnes and expand from up to 120 acres, in “Greece ” states Mr Kolios. “A great number of producers are interested in buying the trees and implanting the variety.”
As regards the characteristics that make this kiwi stand out compared to the Hayward, he assures that “it is sweeter and has a different taste, something between a banana, a kiwi and an apple. It also has a different colour, a bit browner, and no hair. Furthermore, it ripens easier and arrives 20 days earlier than the Hayward.”
Elena Kolios with her beautiful daughter
He explains that the season starts in early October, and after a 15 day harvest period, the fruit can be kept in storage until late January. As for destinations, in addition to China “we’ll start this year in Europe but for the long term, we have high hopes for this variety within the global market.”
For more information:
Elena Kolios
Kolios Group SA
Tel 0030-26810-52365
Email [email protected]
Web http://www.koliosfruit.gr
