Kiwis Market Digest w50

Weekly updates on the Kiwis market

Main Price Movements in the EU

As the winter season progresses, the global kiwifruit market remains stable, with data from Wikifarmer’s online activity and price data from German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the French Market News Network offering key insights into current trends.

In Germany, prices for European-origin kiwis are experiencing a gradual decline, driven by the increasing competition from Southern Hemisphere imports. On the other hand, the French market mentains minimal price movement, indicating a steady supply-demand balance with little fluctuation.

Italian-grown kiwis continue to dominate the European market, offering consistent quality and stable prices, particularly in light of their high vitamin content, which appeals to consumers during the colder months. Premium-grade New Zealand kiwis, though limited in supply, maintain a niche market with higher prices in specialty retail spaces. Additionally, Greek and French kiwis, especially organic varieties, are gaining popularity among eco-conscious consumers seeking sustainable options.

The overall Kiwi market is characterized by stable demand and consistent pricing, which makes it a reliable product for retailers and wholesalers during the holiday season. However, as the holidays approach, some fluctuations in demand are expected, particularly for premium gold and red varieties, which are increasingly favored for their sweetness and vibrant appeal.

Italian kiwis face lower volumes but larger fruits

This season, kiwi production in key Italian regions has shown a significant rebound, with yields exceeding 20 tonnes per hectare and an increase in average fruit size. However, the overall market volume remains lower than in recent years, and smaller-sized fruits, often used for basket packaging, are notably scarce. The market is highly competitive, with domestic harvests coinciding with supplies from Greece and potential imports from the Southern Hemisphere, leading to a surplus. Investments in advanced storage technology, such as controlled atmospheres, ethylene absorbers, and ozone sanitization, enable extended storage periods, ensure higher fruit quality for longer, and facilitate exports to distant markets.

Kiwifruit market trends over the holiday season

The demand for kiwifruit typically increases during the Christmas season, as it is often included in festive fruit baskets and utilized in holiday-themed recipes. Gold kiwifruits, particularly, are growing in popularity due to their sweeter taste and vibrant appeal, making them a preferred choice for celebrations.

However, this year, economic factors such as reduced consumer purchasing power compared to the significant volume supply might impact overall fruit consumption during the holidays. Despite this, kiwifruits with higher quality and better storage capabilities, such as those produced with advanced storage technologies, will likely perform better in local and international markets and get higher profits as we move through the European kiwi season.

Iberian Kiwi production under the weather challenges

The 2024-2025 kiwi production in the Iberian Peninsula is projected to decline sharply, with estimates indicating a drop of over 40%. This reduction is primarily attributed to the high temperatures experienced in December 2023, which adversely affected fruit setting despite good flowering conditions. Key production regions like northern Portugal and Aveiro are among the hardest hit. As a result, Spain and Portugal will increasingly depend on imported supplies to meet domestic and export market demands, emphasizing the need for improved supply chain management to navigate the reduced yields effectively.