Kiwifruit growers in Europe are facing up to the prospect of a difficult campaign this winter. There are still substantial volumes of stored New Zealand fruit in Europe which is likely to make the start of the northern hemisphere season tricky. Volumes in Italy have recovered on a small crop year in 2003. As a result, Italian production is expected to rise by 29 per cent to 415,000 tonnes, the International Kiwifruit Organisation revealed at its Tauranga agm.
Growers in Italy have been so concerned about the prospects for the season that have signed an agreement not to export outside Europe before October 10 and not to market fruit in Europe before November 15. Fruit must also have a brix level of 6.2° so that full maturity is guaranteed by the time it reaches market.
French production is expected to be broadly in line with last season at 63,000t and Greek production - which was severely damaged by frosts in 2003 - should be back up to more normal levels of 425,000t.
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