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Widmann GmbH starts the new season:

"Some food retail chains have listed Chilean kiwi berries for the first time this year"

The export campaign for Chilean kiwi berries is now in the starting blocks. "The first Chilean kiwi berries will usually arrive at our premises between the beginning and middle of calendar week 6 so that our customers will be supplied for the first time in calendar week 7. This is roughly the same as last year," says Jan-Henrik zum Felde, product specialist at Widmann GmbH. The harvest in Chile usually takes place until week 9, so the marketing season should last until weeks 11 or 12. It is harvested in two regions, which is why the season can be extended a little, he explains further.


The first kiwi berries of Chilean origin will arrive in Germany from calendar week 7 and will mainly be found in 125g trays in food retailers.

During this period, Chile is the sole country of origin for kiwi berries. Widmann, a company with locations in Munich and Taufkirchen, is considered the market leader for Chilean kiwi berries in Europe and has the largest trading volume. Due to the optimal weather conditions during flowering and in the further course of the season, a higher proportion of large-berry fruits can be enjoyed this year compared to previous years. "The fruit set in the plantations we visited was also very good," said zum Felde, who visited several berry plantations in Chile with a colleague in advance of the coming season.


Jan Henrik zum Felde and Stephan Kratzer visit the plantation of producer partner Cesar Gomez (center) in Chile.

At the marketing level, Europe is in direct competition with the US market. zum Felde: "Our task at the moment is therefore primarily to focus our production partners' attention more on Europe. We have already partially succeeded in this because in general, demand for kiwi berries from Chile has been very good in recent years. We have been recording increasing sales volumes for three years and are seeing growing demand, not only in Germany but also in other European countries. This year, some food retail chains in Central and Eastern Europe have listed Chilean kiwi berries for the first time, which underlines the high marketing potential of this product."

The management of Widmann GmbH is now confidently starting the new campaign: "Despite higher costs on the production and supply chain side, as well as unfavorable exchange rates for us (US dollars to euros), we are trying to keep prices as stable as possible", zum Felde explains. The kiwi berries are mainly found in the European food retail industry in packaging units 12 × 125g trays, in two sizes, namely caliber L (14-18 pieces per tray) or M (18-24 pieces).


In addition to kiwi berries, Widmann GmbH is currently also sourcing currants from Chile.

The Widmann GmbH team is still endeavoring to increase the popularity of kiwi berries. Nevertheless, according to zum Felde, sales require a certain amount of explanation. "It should be explained to the consumer that the kiwi berries are harvested when they are hard-ripened to survive the transport well. They ripen further in the supply chain and when they reach the consumer they are ready to be enjoyed. All in all, from our point of view, kiwi berries are a strong trend article that impresses with its freshness, healthy snack factor, and exotic touch. The article enriches the berry assortment of our customers, and we are therefore confident that the kiwi berries will consolidate their place on the shelves next to the other berry products."

Currant harvest starts with good prospects
From calendar weeks 50 to 2, Widmann GmbH also received Chilean currants of the Junifer variety, and from calendar weeks 7-8, the first goods of the Rovada variety are expected via sea container. The goods are stored in the CA warehouse and usually offered until calendar weeks 18-19, when the new harvest from Portugal or Spain arrives. Currants of Chilean origin are produced mainly for export, says Stephan Kratzer, who is responsible for the procurement and marketing of the item. "The early variety Junifer is mainly grown in northern Chile and, due to its shorter shelf life, is mostly exported by air. The quantities were at a stable level this year. The late variety Rovada, on the other hand, comes from southern Chile and is mainly exported by sea container. We expect a normal harvest volume here, and the forecasts so far regarding quality and fruit size are very good."

Visit the company at Fruit Logistica at the Gemüsering stand: Hall 20 | B-41

Photo credit: Herbert Widmann GmbH

For more information:
Jan-Henrik zum Felde
Herbert Widmann GmbH
Karwendelstraße 9
82024 Taufkirchen
Phone: +49 (0)89 76 77 61 93 11
Fax: +49 (0)89 76 77 61 93 30
[email protected]
www.widmann-fruechte.de