Zespri Green kiwifruit

Imports of kiwifruit in Indonesia have increased by 250 per cent over the last four years to reach over 2,000 tonnes in 2010, with 75 per cent coming from New Zealand.

According to Indonesian Bureau of Statistics figures, total kiwifruit import volumes have soared from 581 tonnes in 2006 to 2,047 tonnes in 2010. And during that period, New Zealand has overtaken Chile as Indonesia’s top kiwifruit supplier, with its shipments rising from 171 tonnes in 2006 to 1,506 in 2010. Chile’s volumes, meanwhile, have dropped from 179 tonnes to 96 tonnes during the four-year period.

Kiwifruit volumes from Italy have also increased over the last four years – from 172 tonnes to 363 tonnes, making it the second top kiwifruit supplier to Indonesia, the statistics revealed. Australia is listed as the country's fourth main kiwifruit source, whose shipments have dwindled from 38 tonnes in 2006 to 10 tonnes in 2010.

Yuyuh Sukmana, marketing coordinator for Zespri kiwifruit, said that over the last three years Zespri has been promoting kiwfruit in Indonesia to build up awareness of theZespri brand and New Zealand kiwifruit.

Promotions have involved a range of public relations activities and in-store promotions, including product samplings, he said. And this yearZespri launched a television campaign promoting the health benefits of eating kiwifruit – that it is higher in vitamin C and fibre than apples and oranges.

“The instore campaign has targeted most of the main modern retailers, like Ranch Market,” Mr Sukmana said.