Italian kiwifruit down by almost a third

Production of Italian kiwifruit could be down by as much as 30 per cent this season, it has been reported.

Emilia Romagna-based co-operative Granfrutta Zani, which has more than 700 members, said that, even though volumes had dropped, quality was good.

Manager Elisa Zani: “At the moment we are exporting some Italian products, such as kiwifruits, apples and pears, on the European market. The quality of the fruit is good. We have registered a lower volume, about -30 per cent, for kiwifruit production this year, but the general outlook remains positive.”