Rain earlier this month delayed harvesting for Greek kiwifruit grower Kostas Kallitsis in his 9.5-hectare Green kiwifruit block in Katerini, south of Thessaloniki. His family has grown kiwifruit since 1987 and supplies Zespri. After trialing Zespri SunGold in 2018 and achieving yields of about 50 tons per hectare, he plans to plant 2 hectares next year with a long-term goal of 3 hectares.
His oldest Green vines were expected to yield 25 tons per hectare this year, below the regional average of 30 tons. Fruit is slightly smaller than last season and averages 7.5 per cent Brix. Reliable weather has meant coverings were not previously required, but Kallitsis noted more frequent heavy events and plans to cover his commercial SunGold crop. Winters provide 1000 to 1200 chilling hours, suitable for both Green and SunGold. Soil composition is 60 per cent sand, 40 per cent silt, and 1.5 per cent organic matter. He also grows strawberries and table grapes. Irrigation comes from bores, and local authorities are beginning to restrict usage.
Kallitsis supplies both Zespri and other markets, meeting the same quality protocols as New Zealand growers. Twelve years ago, before supplying Zespri, he received €0.30 to €0.40 per kilogram (US$0.33 to US$0.44). Now he receives about €1.10 per kilogram (US$1.18). Land demand reflects interest in the crop, with bare land selling for €30,000 to €40,000 per hectare (US$32,100 to US$42,800), and orchard establishment costing €50,000 per hectare (US$53,500).
Another Katerini grower, Nikos Adamidis, manages a kiwifruit orchard established in 1984. He cultivates 12 hectares of Green kiwifruit and will expand a 0.3-hectare SunGold trial by converting 3 hectares next year. He has supplied Zespri since 2019 and said it provides security, technical guidance, and support for fruit quality and harvest timing. SunGold matures a month earlier than Green, allowing for more efficient labor use. His Green yields an average of 30 tons per hectare, and SunGold 40 tons. He uses hail netting over his SunGold trial block and plans to extend netting to commercial plantings.
Proto Fruit, a Thessaloniki packhouse founded in 1928, handles 24,000 tons of kiwifruit annually along with cherries and grapes. Export director Manolis Anastasiadis said kiwifruit is sourced across Greece, including Zespri growers, and exported to Europe, North America, the Middle East, South Africa, Asia, and Brazil. The facility uses New Zealand technology to sort 25 tons per hour and operates a cool store. The season runs from mid-October to May.
Source: Farmers Weekly
