Italian company Jingold reports successful introduction of South African-grown Exotic Red kiwifruit to European markets, while also expanding its Southern Hemisphere yellow kiwifruit supply by 50 per cent
Italian-grown Exotic Red, the only red-fleshed kiwifruit currently sold commercially in Europe, is now available for a longer period of the year, thanks to new production out of South Africa.
According to Italian company Jingold, which holds the exclusive international rights to produce and market the variety, this counter-seasonal supply went on sale for the first time earlier this year, following a smaller-scale commercial trial in 2024.
As a result, the group has added to its domestic supply and been able to offer Exotic Red to European supermarkets into the summer months.
“Although we are still talking about limited quantities, Exotic Red is the only red-fleshed kiwifruit currently on the European and Italian markets,” says Moreno Armuzzi, sales manager at Jingold.
South African Exotic Red is said to offer the same bright red centre, excellent shelf-life, and very sweet tropical taste. “This is the second year of production [in South Africa] and the first of actual sales, after a test phase last year with small volumes,” Armuzzi continues.
“Today, thanks to the investments that have allowed us to have more significant volumes, we are able to guarantee a continuous supply, of about two months, to some strategic customers, with a particular focus on the Italian and Swiss large-scale retail trade.”
Concerns have been raised in the past about other red kiwifruit varieties’ post-harvest performance, but Armuzzi insists Exotic Red has the quality and shelf-life necessary to be a commercial winner, even when transported over such a long distance.
“This is a strong point that distinguishes our premium offering and allows us to be recognised as pioneers in varietal innovation,” he comments.
Golden growth
Meanwhile, Jingold’s yellow kiwifruit production continues to grow in the Southern Hemisphere, where it expects more fruit to be available from all three of its supply regions in Chile, Argentina and South Africa.
Some of that product goes to Japan, but the majority is shipped to Italy where it is graded, packed and distributed on to various European markets.
“Yellow kiwifruit from the Southern Hemisphere is intended for some strategic customers, mainly the Italian large-scale retail trade and some customers in Switzerland and Germany,” says Armuzzi.
“This allows us to have continuity of supply with the Jingold brand product even in the summer period and to cover a commercial window that goes from May-June to September-October, in perfect continuity with the start of the Northern Hemisphere season.”
Compared with 2024, this year Jingold expects to ship around 50 per cent more yellow kiwifruit from Chile, Argentina and South Africa in volume terms.
“This is a tangible and very positive result, which confirms the validity of our international development plan to support the availability of premium kiwifruit for 12 months a year,” Armuzzi concludes.
