Italian Kiwi Harvest 353,000 MT

ROME - Jan 21/04 - SNS -- Italian kiwi production slipped 7% in 2003 to an estimated 353,000 metric tons (MT) on count of spring frosts, which reduced the size of the fruits in some of the main producing regions.

The resulting shortage of large caliber fruit has resulting in lower average prices for growers because consumers prefer larger caliber kiwis. On the other hand, prices for kiwis in the 95 to 100 grams range have improved.

Despite the trend for generally declining consumption of fresh fruit in Italy, domestic demand for kiwifruit, particularly fruit destined for fresh human consumption has steadily increased during the period 2000-2003 reaching a peak in 2002, notes the U.S. agricultural attache here.

Domestic processing, mainly juice production, is still pretty marginal in terms of volume. Processing generally involves production that cannot be marketed for fresh consumption. Kiwifruit processing is expected to increase in the future, especially as there is an increasing demand for ready-to-drink fruit juice mixes.

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