Italy is a world leading kiwifruit producer. Lazio, Piemonte, Emilia Romagna, Calabria, and Veneto are the main kiwi-producing areas, accounting for approximately 31, 18, 15, 11 and 10 percent of national production respectively.
The Hayward is the chief green cultivar, followed by increasing yellow varieties (G3, Jintao, Soreli, and Dorì). According to the latest figures from the Italian Fresh Produce Service Centre, Italy’s kiwifruit production in marketing year 2017/18 is estimated at approximately 370,000 metric tons (MT), 22 percent lower than the previous abundant campaign, mostly due to severe frosts in April that affected yields.
Italy’s Top-10 kiwifruit exports
Reductions are estimated in Veneto (-46 percent), Lazio (-38 percent), Piemonte (- 29 percent), and Emilia-Romagna (-12 percent). Quality is expected to be excellent.
In MY 2017/18, Italy’s kiwifruit area (26,576 hectares) is expected to grow by 3.3 percent from MY 2016/17 thanks to new investments in the sector, especially for yellow varieties. The area decrease in Piemonte (-4 percent) due to root asphyxia is expected to be offset by increases in Calabria (+5 percent) and Campania (+5 percent). Kiwifruit area is expected to remain flat in Emilia Romagna and Veneto.
