Shipments of Chilean kiwifruit to Europe in 2011 could increase by 12 per cent as a result of the significant drop in Italian production, according to Decofrut.
Noticias Financieras reports that the Italian crop is 20 per cent down in 2010 and lower volume of production in Italy will play into Chilean exporters' hands. Lower figures in Spain, France and Greece have added to this.
The current higher prices for kiwifruit could, however, slow down consumption, Decofrut warned.
Chile usually exports around 58 per cent of its production to Europe, but this could rise by up to 70 per cent next season.
