The kiwifruit market has endured a tough season, as high volumes from Europe, quality issues in Italy and universally low prices have hit suppliers.
“It has been a difficult season,” said George Kroussaniotakis of Zeus UK at last week’s Freskon exhibition in Thessaloniki, Greece. “There is a lot of uncertainty. Kiwifruit markets are struggling all over the world. There is a lot of production from Italy, and Greece has increased volumes by around 15 per cent, so prices have been low.”
In the UK, consumers can currently pick up a six-pack of Italian kiwifruit from retailer Tesco for as little as 59p (€0.76).
With European consumption levels already high, suppliers are increasingly looking at markets further east for growth, not least China.
“Thankfully, we have sold most of our volumes at Zeus, but it has been a difficult season,” said Kroussaniotakis. “We did very well on the Chinese market, with volumes increasing by almost 20 per cent.”
