Chilean company Greenvic has been producing and exporting kiwis to key markets such as Europe, Latin America, and the Far East for more than 25 years.
"This year we have great challenges because there were some areas in the seventh region that were affected by frost and we have several orchards with Psa problems. Thus, we'll have a decrease in volumes. Our biggest challenge this year will be to increase the volume by 20% and carry out good management with producers," stated Víctor Moreno, Greenvic's assistant production manager, in a conversation with News Frutas de Chile.
Moreno also said that they had had a good 2024 season. "We managed to export almost 6 million kilos, a figure that represented growth over the previous season, with shipments destined for markets such as Europe, Latin America, the USA, the Far East, and Canada."
During the Covid-19 pandemic, kiwi consumption around the world gained momentum, especially thanks to its health benefits. According to Greenvic's assistant production manager, Chilean kiwi's volume growth has been stable over the last three seasons and has not registered significant variations. "In recent years we have been close to 134,000 tons. I think production will continue to grow because many exporters and producers are currently planting kiwis, in fact, there are several projects."
Moreno also highlighted that the US and European markets have consolidated. "Almost half of kiwi shipments go to Europe. The USA receives 12% and 25% goes to Latin America. Twenty years ago kiwi was only destined for one market and today we are shipping it to all continents and countries. In general, the season ends on week 41 or 42, so there is a long window. In other words, we are exporting kiwis for more than 30 weeks, which is very positive."
As far as improvements are concerned, Moreno indicated: "It is essential to always raise the quality and condition standards that will improve the country's brand. If we manage to improve it in the medium term, it will bring positive dividends. The question is how to do it so that we all comply with the parameters set by the Kiwi Committee."
"Ripeness parameters and standardization of quality and condition are critical for improvement. Today you can find exporters that make cat1, and cat2, that is, you find different categories of fruits that are different in each exporter. We don't have standardization, unlike Zespri which follows a quality standard. On the other hand, we have many marketing qualities, so we have to standardize the norms," he said.
Source: frutasdechile.cl