Zespri Gold soon year-round

New Zealand kiwifruit marketeer, Zespri, is close to making smooth-skinned Zespri Gold available year-round.

“Until now we have been able to export the fruit from New Zealand between June and August, and from Italy between December and January”, said Jean-Louis Warnimont, marketing services manager - Europe for Zespri.

The “gap” will be filled by growers in Chile, who are already supplying Zespri Green, with the result that the Gold variety will become a 12-month offer. “We are currently planting them in Chile but it takes a while until our exacting quality requirements can be met,” Warnimont said.

“Our kiwis are established across Europe,” Warnimont said, adding that increased efforts are being made to market the fruit in Italy and France.