World Kiwifruit Situation and Outlook

Kiwifruit Situation For Selected Countries

Selected country kiwifruit production for 1999/2000 is forecast to increase12 percent to 891,180 tons. Production in the Northern Hemisphere is up 19 percent due principally to a forecast 32 percent and 26 percent increase in Italian and Greek output respectively. Southern Hemisphere production is forecast to be up by 2 percent. Selected country kiwifruit exports in 1999/2000 are forecast to increase by 15 percent to 616,800 tons. Italy is expected to account for two thirds of the increase in exports. Increased exports from Greece and Chile are forecast to account for the rest of this increase. Exports from New Zealand, the worlds second largest producer and exporter, are forecast to decline by 4 percent to total 183,500 tons due to lower production. United States kiwifruit production in 1999/2000 is forecast to be down 32 percent, to 22,680 tons. The industry estimates a commercial packout of 20,000 tons. United States exports in 1999/2000 may account for 12 percent of the packout compared to 25 percent of the packout exported last year. United States kiwifruit imports in 1999/2000 are expected to be 6 percent greater than last year as foreign supplies will fill the gap in demand left be the short U.S. crop.


European Union

The European Union (EU) is the world's most important kiwifruit growing region accounting for 54 percent of total world production. Italy is the largest producer, accounting for 69 percent of EU production. The EU greatly facilitated conversion of crop land to kiwifruit in the 1980s through widespread subsidies. Although most subsidies have reportedly been eliminated, their impact continues. Production in 1999/2000, for the 5 major EU producing countries is 479,800 tons up 25 percent from the previous year. EU exports in 1999/2000 are forecast at 319,700 tons up 29 percent from last year. All Northern Hemisphere countries with the exception of Italy and Greece, are net importers of kiwifruit. If this year’s forecasts hold true, Greek production of 55,000 tons and exports of 25,000 tons will be the second largest of the decade. French production and exports, forecast at 72,000 and 24,000 tons respectively, will also be strong.

Italian kiwifruit production in 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 330,000 tons representing a 32 percent increase from last year’s small harvest. Italy’s exports for 1999/2000 are forecast at 260,000 tons, up 31 percent from last year’s low of 199,000 tons. Over 70 percent of Italy’s exports are destined for other EU countries, mainly Germany which accounts for 26 percent of total exports. Due to this year’s large crop and low prices, Italy is expected to significantly expand shipments to Eastern Europe and Asia.

United States

Kiwifruit production in 1999/2000 is forecast at 22,680 tons, down 32 percent from last year’s crop. Industry sources indicate a commercial packout of 20,000 tons, off 8,600 tons from last year. Due to the small crop, domestic shipments are down 10 percent and exports are 66 percent from last year’s level.

U.S. exports of kiwifruit in 1998/1999 reached 7,115 tons, up 1,419 tons from the previous year’s level. World demand was so strong last year that New Zealand sold out early and United States shipments to Asian markets were substantially up. In fact, the United States even supplied New Zealand with 235 tons of kiwifruit. Exports to Canada however declined by 25 percent to total only 3,015 tons. Nevertheless, Canada is the major U.S. kiwifruit market, and last year accounted for 42 percent of total U.S. exports. This year exports are forecast at 2,400 tons. Most of the shipments will split up fairly evenly between Canada and Mexico, with a small amount moving to Korea.

The California Kiwifruit Commission (CKC) has recognized the importance of export markets. For over three years, CKC has committed more than eighty-five percent of its Market Access Program Funds in continuing to develop and maintain the Canadian, Mexican and Korean markets. In-store promotions, trade relation activities, and trade shows have been used to address low awareness and increasing competition in Canada and Korea.

The California Kiwifruit Commission (CKC) has been working in Canada to overcome competition from Italian, Greek, and French kiwifruit exports. Last year, promotional activities included consumer promotions, trade shows and trade related activities.

New Zealand

Due to severe September frosts and heavy December rains New Zealand’s production in 2000 is forecast at 202,000 tons, down 4 percent from last year’s crop of 210,000 tons. Last year’s crop was lower than normal due to poor flowering and many vines being converted to the Zespri GOLD variety. Production of this variety is forecast to grow from 340 tons last year to over 5,000 tons in 1999/2000. The 1999 selling program for Zespri GOLD in the UK, Japan, and Australia was extended to the United States and Taiwan for the first time and trials were conducted in Spain and Sweden in preparation for the campaign in Europe this year.

New Zealand’s 1999/2000 exports are forecast at 183,500 tons, down 9 percent from the previous year due to the reduced production.

For further information on production, supply and distribution, and trade contact Robert Knapp, Horticultural and Tropical Products Division, (202) 720-4620. For information on U.S. marketing opportunities, contact Kelly Strzelecki, 690-1314.

Last modified: Wednesday, February 20, 2002