New Zealand-based kiwifruit grower Seeka has warned that it may have found the vine disease in an orchard it is developing in the Australian territory of Victoria.

All eyes in the kiwifruit sector are now on the southern hemisphere, which is now slowly taking over the world market. The first New Zealand kiwis are already at sea.

The South African kiwi fruit industry is relatively small, with an estimated 200ha of the green-fleshed varieties under production. The industry has only about 10 growers, who produce 2 000t/year. However, green kiwi fruit yields generally fall short of its genetic potential.

The demand for kiwifruit, just like that of citrus fruits, has increased on the European market due to the coronavirus.

Die kiwivrug, of Sjinese appelliefie (dikwels verkort tot net kiwi buite Nieu-Seeland), is die eetbare bessie van ’n houtagtige rankplant in die genus Actinidia.

Although New Zealand obtained a record kiwifruit harvest last year, the producing regions in the northern hemisphere are facing a decline in their volumes due to the weather conditions, among other factors.

Agriculture has a vital role to play in SA’s economic reconstruction and recovery path after the Covid-19 shock.

Poor weather conditions earlier this year during growing season continue to hamper European production areas, and kiwis are no exception to this.

According to data from the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee of the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), Chile had exported 146,747 metric tons of kiwifruit this season as of week 40.

It's all go in the world of kiwis, as the European season makes way for the New Zealand season, with Zespri at the forefront.

The 40 determined farmers growing kiwi fruit in South Africa – some of whom have soldiered on for many years in this micro industry – are beginning to believe in a rejuvenated industry with the introduction of new kiwi varieties more suited to this country’s climate.