At a secret location in the south-eastern English county of Kent, a project to develop the UK's first ever kiwifruit vines is said to be progressing well and, according to those involved, could lead to the first commercially viable crops within as little as two years.
Renowned as the Garden of England, Kent could soon emerge as an unlikely source of subtropical fruit if the initial promising kiwifruit trials fulfil expectations.
The trial, which incolves a single hectare of vines imported from Italy and Greece and planted last May, is the result of a new initiative undertaken by marketer-distributor Worldwide Fruit (WFL), a 50:50 joint venture between the Fruition Producer Organisation and New Zealand exporter Enza, owned by Turners & Growers.
WFL acts as Enza's distribution and marketing agent in the UK, its core businesses including the sale of apples, pears, avocados, dates and stonefruit to a range of UK retailers.
It is hoped the burgeoning kiwifruit crop will eventually provide a new opportunity for Fruition grower members, while also enabling WFL to offer its customers a unique means of substituting imports and reducing food miles.
Fruitnet.com understands that plans to take the trial forward began in 2008 and the companies involved say they have made use of the expertise of New Zealand kiwifruit growers who have over 50 years' experience of growing and selecting the most suitable varieties.
'It is another example of our close international cooperative joint ventures,' explained Tony Harding, technical director at WFL. 'Working jointly on the project with one of our shareholders Turners & Growers has enabled us to source exclusive T&G varieties to offer a unique point of difference.'
T&G/Enza’s kiwifruit varieties include ENZAGreen, ENZAGold, ENZARed, Megakiwi and Summerkiwi, although the total 1,200 vines in the ground at WFL's Kent trial are all of the Hayward green-fleshed variety.
However, Mr Harding revealed additional plans to plant both yellow-fleshed and red-fleshed kiwifruit during 2011.
'The UK project is a small part of the overall T&G kiwifruit global development plan in which we are delighted to be involved,' Mr Harding added, before confirming. 'WFL will have sole marketing rights to sell these new exciting varieties in the UK.'
Caroline Ashdown, fruit development technologist at WFL, said she had been impressed with the way the new vines were performing.
'Obviously it is a new experience for us,' she said, 'but we are confident it will be successful in some degree as we get to understand the vines' physiology. They need good pollination, but do not suffer from mildew or canker like other deciduous fruit.
She added: 'The site has also been carefully chosen to provide good drainage, as the vines don't like to get their feet wet, and while they can withstand several degrees of frost, it is also sheltered.'
Kiwifruit vines grow so fast that, when mature, their growth can almost be measured daily. As a result, following the practice common throughout the world, the Kent trial vines are being trailed on wires strung across solid concrete supports.
Harvesting is expected to take place this coming October, although the kiwifruit will reportedly also store well and can therefore be kept for up to six months without significant quality issues.
'It's early days yet, but we are excited by the prospects of producing a commercially viable, UK-grown kiwifruit crop,' added Mr Harding.
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