Chile’s production of yellow-fleshed kiwifruit is set to climb sharply in the next three years as growers opt increasingly for more profitable varieties such as Jintao over green varieties. Roberto Bressi, of the Kiwigold Consortium said planted area is forecast to double to 800ha by 2018, most of this located in Curicó and Colchagua.
“From the point of view of the consumer the main advantages of this variety are that it is sweeter than Hayward and its vitamin C content is around 50 per cent higher,’ said Bressi. “From a commercial angle, Jintao has been shown consistently to generate more than double the returns of Hayward and demand in global markets is rising while for green varieties it is falling.”
Chilean exports of Jintao have risen from 500 tonnes in 2010 to 3,000 tonnes in 2013. Last year shipments fell to 2,000 tonnes as a result of the September 2013 freeze but this year exports are expected to reach 3,500 tonnes. The bulk of this will be shipped to Asian markets, notably South Korea, Japan and China.
Italy’s Kiwigold Consortium holds the exclusive global rights to the Jintao variety, which was developed by the Wuhan Botanic Institute in China, and it has been grown commercially in Italy since 2001. The consortium’s subsidiary, Kiwigold Chile, oversees production in Chile where there are currently six licensed growers – Subsole, Frusan, AMS, SM Plus, Purísima and GSW.
“The principle characteristics of this variety are its yellow flesh and balance of sweetness and sharpness that makes it particularly attractive to consumers, including children,” Bressi said. “Its dry material and soluble solid content (both reliable indicators of quality) is also higher than Hayward, and it has a longer shelf-life.”
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