"How to encourage growers to invest in a resistant and productive variety of yellow kiwis" was the subject of the Haegeum Day event on September 16th, organized by Sofruileg, which brought together growers, distributors, and players of the sector at Agrocampus 64 (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). After the launch of the early yellow kiwi Soreli, which joined the portfolio in 2010, exclusively in France and semi-exclusively in Spain and Portugal, Sofruileg is betting on the late niche with the yellow kiwi Haegeum, available from October to May. The day's program included technical workshops, discussions between professionals, and a visit to a Haegeum orchard in Montardon (64), followed by a plenary session attended by growers of Haegeum kiwis, others who are thinking of committing, and European partners keen to explore the prospects offered by this new variety.
© Sofruileg
Production and consumption of yellow kiwis on the rise
© Sofruileg
"Global kiwi production is booming, driven by the spectacular growth of yellow kiwis. By 2019, yellow kiwis already accounted for 24% of world production, and today, they account for almost a third of volumes, rising to 30% by 2024. Growing consumer demand is stimulating the diversification of orchards and the planting of new varieties. While China, New Zealand, and Italy largely dominate world production, Europe as a whole, as well as countries in the southern hemisphere such as Chile, Argentina, and Australia, are also contributing to the expansion of this booming sector. In France, the trend is just as marked. Kiwi consumption has reached 1.7 kg per capita per year, and has been rising steadily for several years. Among these volumes, the share of yellow kiwis is showing the strongest growth."
Right: François Lafitte, chairman of Sofruileg
New opportunities for Oscar® Gold
Haegeum is opening up new opportunities for Oscar® Gold. "Between March and June, the kiwi market is in a slump, with supply running out of steam while demand remains strong. This is when Haegeum's Oscar® Gold kiwis come to fill the gap, capturing a highly strategic commercial window. By occupying this niche, the variety offers the sector a rare and differentiating growth opportunity."
A target of 1,000 hectares by 2030
The development plan for the Haegeum variety is Europe-wide. Between 2025 and 2030, the ambition is to reach 1,000 hectares of plantations, divided between Greece, Italy, France, and Portugal, each of which will devote around 200 hectares to the variety, while Spain will deploy between 100 and 200 additional hectares. "This distribution will ensure diversified and complementary production, in line with the expectations of the European market and the growing demand for yellow kiwis."
© Sofruileg
European Haegeum Network
The Haegeum variety also benefits from a rapidly expanding European network of partners, known as the European Haegeum Network. This network is organized on a continental scale. "From France to Portugal, from Italy to Greece, producers and operators are joining forces to build a solid, coordinated sector. SCAAP and AKF in France, alongside independent producers, followed by Portugal, Spain, and Italy with Ortofruit and Lagnasco, and finally the Greek cooperative Kavala. On the marketing side, Primland, PORTPRIMLAND, and the Ortofruit/Lagnasco/Orbita trio distribute Haegeum on their markets. Greece is in the final stages of organization."
For more information:
Jean-Pierre Caruel
Sofruileg
Phone: +33 6 13 89 14 33
[email protected]
www.sofruileg.com
