To meet growing consumer demand in North America, New Zealand-based Zespri is planning for year-round availability of SunGold kiwifruit and is testing the potential for growing the variety in the U.S.
“Our goal is to eventually offer the Zespri eating experience to consumers year round,” Glen Arrowsmith, Zespri’s North America market manager, said in a news release. “We are excited to partner with local growers to explore the U.S. opportunity as we test the growing potential and the fruit’s post-harvest and sensory performance.”
Arrowsmith said in the release that Zespri is “at the very early stage” but has harvested the first small trial U.S. crop in October. That fruit came from an orchard planted in 2018.
Zespri is partnering U.S. growers at 10 sites to better understand different growing conditions on the West Coast.
SunGold kiwifruit from the West Coast would supplement fruit from New Zealand and Italy to provide a 12-month supply. New Zealand’s season for shipping to North America from May through November, and to extend the season, fruit from Italy is supplied from November through February, according to the release.
Sales of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit in the U.S. saw a sales increase of about 31% in net sales this year compared with a year ago.
Zespri said in the release said Northern Hemisphere volumes are limited and domestic supply could help meet this demand.
