A Korean trial of Chilean Summerkiwi has cast light on opportunities to improve early-season sales in the market
Chile is realising some exciting new kiwifruit possibilities in the South Korean market this season with the successful conclusion of a Summerkiwi trial earlier this month.
A team of nine Chilean kiwifruit exporters took part in the trial promotion of the club kiwifruit variety, which presents possibilities for Chile to salvage early-season sales in Korea that have garnered a poor reputation.
“We sent three containers to Korea and launched there two or three weeks ago,” explains Oscar Villegas, commercial manager of kiwifruit for exporter Subsole, one of the companies involved in the trial.
“It was very successful, and it was good experience. The consumers and the supermarkets there like the product. They did in-store tasting, they were selling them in clamshell packs of two, and there were big posters in the main part of the produce area; it was very attractive.”
The majority of Chilean Summerkiwi was sold through Korean supermarket chain Lottemart, Mr Villegas told Fruitnet.com. He said the promotion would return next season with greater volumes.
The Summerkiwi variety is currently planted to the tune of 350ha in Chile, with and eventual aim of 500ha. Summerkiwi is picked about one month earlier than Hayward, and represents an opportunity for Chile to shift poor early-season Hayward exports out of the Chilean market.
“The early Hayward to Korea is always having bad results, due to some exporters picking with a lower Brix level,” stated Mr Villegas.
“It’s not a product people like, and it leaves a bad image of Chile. If we can offer a good early product from Chile, there will be a big cut in early Hayward. That would be very good for Chile and the market.”
