Kiwifruit
All the news and market analysis for worldwide kiwifruit Industry, including kiwifruit growers, kiwifruit production, and the import and export of kiwifruit.
Zespri marketing chief Jiunn Shih announces departure
After nine years with the kiwifruit supplier, Jiunn Shih is leaving his position as chief marketing officer at Zespri, where he helped double sales to over NZ$5bn and build the number one fruit brand across 15 core markets
Video: Alegra’s summer snack campaign shines light on new strategy
Italy’s largest fresh produce company is focusing its summer marketing efforts on distinctive licensed varieties to differentiate itself in key categories
Zespri reduces margin to boost kiwifruit grower returns
Zespri has announced a reduction in its fruit return margin percentage, which is expected to deliver an additional NZ$7-8 mn to New Zealand kiwifruit growers in the 2025/26 season
New Zealand launches sustainability report for UK food buyers
NZTE has launched its first cross-category sustainability report for UK food and drink buyers, highlighting how New Zealand producers can help retailers meet environmental goals while ensuring supply chain resilience.
Tesco sees record fruit sales as UK heatwave continues
The UK’s largest food retailer expects to sell nearly 4mn punnets of strawberries and millions of other fruit items as temperatures soar again
Italian SunGold growers achieve record returns with Zespri
Company’s Italian SunGold kiwifruit generated record-breaking returns for the past season, marking an all-time high for the 1,200 licensed growers across six Italian regions
BayWa reports €1.6bn loss as it attempts to overcome ‘most serious crisis’
German conglomerate reveals impact of recent liquidity problems, but insists transformation plan will ensure long-term financial stability
BeeHero enters third season in Australia
Precision pollination specialist BeeHero has launched its services for Australian growers for the third consecutive season, now supporting over 70,000 acres of crops with new pre-pollination reports and enhanced connectivity infrastructure
Fresh-cut boom fuels tropical fruit growth
PrepWorld’s Andrew Crawford explains why it is an ideal gateway for consumers looking for a convenient way to enjoy tropical fruits
Apo Conerpo bounces back with 13 per cent revenue growth
Italy’s Apo Conerpo has reported a significant recovery in 2024, with revenue up 13 per cent to €489mn and volumes increasing by 34 per cent following what it described as an ‘annus horribilis’ in 2023
South African supply extends Jingold's Exotic Red kiwifruit season
The commercial availability of red-fleshed kiwifruit in Europe has been extended into summer months thanks to new counter-seasonal production from South Africa
Comment: Tropical fruit market outlook remains positive despite global challenges
Despite widespread geopolitical turmoil and economic challenges, the outlook for tropical fresh fruit remains extremely positive according to RaboResearch’s Cindy van Rijswick at the Fruitnet Tropicals Congress.
Zespri signs Olympic champion Dame Lisa Carrington as brand ambassador
New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri has announced a four-year global partnership with Dame Lisa Carrington, the country’s most decorated Olympian, as its first-ever global brand ambassador
Copefrut celebrates 70 years of sustainable growth
Company presents third sustainability report under GRI standard
Zespri signs strategic MOUs to double fruit sales in China over ten years
Distribution and retail partners Joy Wing Mau, Goodfarmer Pagoda and Xianfeng Fruit collectively represent around 80 per cent of Zespri’s business in China
The Fresh Ideas Show: Banana drama, Brexit bridge-building, and a bunch of clever Kiwis
Fruitnet’s brand new podcast features exclusive interviews and expert analysis of the big stories in the fruit fresh produce business
Zespri forecasts strong 2025/26 returns for growers
Average per hectare returns for many varieties are predicted to exceed the record returns seen in 2024/25
New Zealand team develops soft “gripper” for robotic fruit picking arms
Innovation has application for automated picking in kiwifruit industry
Zespri appoints Tim Mackle as chief supply chain officer
Mackle has been Zespri’s acting COO since 2024 and will now lead the company’s end-to-end supply chain
BayWa secures court approval for restructuring plan
Company’s plan was already underway, with new loans secured until end of 2028, but legal backing now in place
Produce Plus Winter out now!
The Hort Connections special edition is now available on the new Produce Plus app featuring a Q&A with The Packaging Hippie Gilad Sadan, the Produce Plus-NielsenIQ Top 20 and features on packaging, grading, citrus and kiwifruit
DSI director Klop buys out founder’s share
Jan van den Adel has exited the business he created in 2011 with Jan de Sterke and Marnix van Fraassen
NZFN teams up with kiwifruit industry to tackle food insecurity
Big players including Zespri and Seeka donate excess kiwifruit to NZFN to increase access to nutritious food and reduce food waste
Frigotec aims for ripening perfection with Softripe
Frigotec’s Roland Wirth tells Fruitnet how Softripe is making global fruit ripening more efficient, intelligent and sustainable, while unlocking new fruit qualities
International fruit brands target smaller Chinese cities
The likes of Driscoll’s and Zespri look to second- and third-tier cities for growth
Zespri exceeds NZ$5bn in global sales
Kiwifruit marketer sells 220.9mn trays of fruit and delivers record returns to growers as it passes its 2025 goal set a decade ago
Vicki McColl joins Zespri as chief financial officer
McColl previously served as CFO at Silver Fern Farms for over nine years
A taste of winter: Perth Markets welcomes seasonal produce from local growers
As the seasons turn to winter, Western Australia’s fresh produce wholesale market is preparing for an influx of new seasonal produce
Zespri’s new marketing campaign brings value message to consumers
Kiwi Brothers return to front Asia-wide promotional push, as marketer attempts to change perceptions of its premium products
Ortolani Cofri merges with Agrintesa
Italian cooperative extends reach across country with incorporation of Imola-based supplier
Respite for BayWa as restructuring plan is approved
Agreement offers respite to troubled conglomerate and T&G Global owner, with capital injection and loan extension to end of 2028
Import growth reported in Spain
Fruit imports in particular registered notable growth through the January-February period, according to Fepex
Port of Tauranga, Zespri and TKL sign strategic partnership deal to grow kiwifruit exports
Five-year agreement solidifies shared interests in the success of the sector
New Zealand-European Union trade deal delivers export growth
New Zealand exports to the EU up 28 per cent with kiwifruit playing a significant role
Comment: Who profits from proprietary produce?
Horticultural IP lawyer Darron Saltzman argues there could be a fairer way to structure variety licensing agreements
Fruitful Ventures underlines quality standards with Bloom brand relaunch
Premium brand is used for select range of products supplied by Olympic Fruit, Hoofdman-Roodzant, and Fresh-Pride