Committee highlights the importance of harvesting fruit at its optimal point of ripeness to guarantee good results
The 2025 Chilean kiwifruit crop is expected to weigh in at 128,000 tonnes, 12-13 per cent down on the previous year, according to preliminary estimates. Carlos Cruzat, president of the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee, said the fall is due to the presence of PSA and frosts in the Precordillera del Maule, Ñuble and Biobio regions.
Despite the reduction in the volume, Cruzat said the quality of the crop augurs well for the new season, with a prevalence of larger calibres and less second-class fruit. “The fruit is good enough, and if climatic conditions continue to be favourable, the shortfall could be less, say between 7 and 10 per cent,” he noted.
Cruzat suggested that Chilean producers could benefit from the larger sizes, which command higher prices on the market. He said that growers are also optimistic about brisk sales of European kiwifruit. The key, according to Cruzat, is to focus on the quality of the fruit, harvest it at the optimal time and not to miss the markets.
The committee will once again carry out promotional campaigns in key markets such as India, the US, Mexico and Brazil, seeking to increase consumption and consolidate the presence of the Chilean kiwifruit.
PSA continues to be an important challenge for the industry. Cruzat emphasised the need to implement control and protection measures in areas to minimise the impact of these climatic and phytosanitary factors. The quality of fruit remains the main concern and the key to maintaining competitiveness in the global market.
Cruzat once again stressed the importance of prioritizing the quality of the fruit, cultivating it at its optimal point of maturity.
