Enthusiasm within the Mzansi kiwifruit industry is running high as producers get ready to take advantage of the market gap in exports to Asia and Europe. South Africa’s kiwifruit industry is ahead of New Zealand, who will only pick its main crop in April this year. According to Peter Nicholson, gold kiwi farmer near Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal, producers are excited to cash in on this favourable position. Nicholson explains that the Northern Hemisphere will in the next few months have consumed most of its kiwis. Currently, China is the biggest producer and consumer of golden kiwis north of the Equator.
Nicholson explains that the Northern Hemisphere will in the next few months have consumed most of its kiwis. The South African Kiwi Growers says an influx of new varieties of green, gold and red kiwifruit have led to a local boom. There has also been a steady increase in the establishment of new orchards. Viable, even on small-scale According to Nicholson, farmers across the country are suddenly waking up to the kiwi crop.