France-based Sofruileg has presented a new brand of kiwiberry called the Nergi at this year's Fruit Logistica trade show.
The fruit is a similar size to a cherry tomato and has a smooth outside like a blueberry so it can be eaten whole as a snack.
At the present time the Nergi has not been sold in the UK through either French distributor Prim’land or Fruit World of the Netherlands. Most sales have been in France.
However, Sofruileg's project manager Jean Pierre Caruel told FPJ the next season will be a big year for Nergi.
"In 2012, for the european season starting at the beginning of September until mid-November, Nergi will be sold in UK, France, Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia and other European places though PRIMLAND and FRUITWORLD."
The Nergi has been developed with New Zealand-based Plant & Food Research and boasts a good shelf-life and good firmness.
It is currently produced in Europe in small volumes, but the total production area is expected to reach 500ha by 2016, with plans to increase the availability further through production in New Zealand and possibly Chile.
The majority is currently cultivated in France, with other production areas in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Austria.
This season, Sofruileg expects to commercialise around 200,000 punnets on the European market. In 10 years, according to Lafitte, the target is to sell some 10,000 tonnes.
A consumer-focused website has been set up to offer information and recipes, while a programme of in-store tastings is also in the pipeline.
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