Italian production of Zespri-branded kiwifruit will take two or three more years to recover from the effects of the vine disease Psa, according to the company’s chief operating officer Simon Limmer.
Speaking to NZ Farmer, Limmer confirmed that its latest round of European plantings, aimed at replacing vines lost in Italy to Psa, had been completed, with around 1,400ha planted in the country.
Zespri’s new yellow-fleshed variety G3, marketed as SunGold, has taken the place of Hort16A (Zespri Gold), which was far more susceptible to the disease.
“They are just coming back on stream in terms of production,” said Limmer. “Volumes have been very low but are expected to build significantly over the next two or three years.”
Last year, Zespri’s Europe general manager Bert Barmans indicated that Europe’s SunGold crop would be around 7m trays by 2016 at the latest.
As well as in Italy, Zespri kiwifruit is grown in France, Spain and Portugal.
A delegation of 44 Italian growers who produce Zespri kiwifruit and sell it through intermediary marketers visited New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty to learn about production techniques, packing and R&D.
