LOW CHILL VARIETIES BRIGHTEN KIWI FRUIT OUTLOOK FOR SA

FAST FACTS

Varieties of yellow-flesh kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis), which have lower chilling requirements, could do well in the Grabouw, Waboomskraal and Langkloof areas of the Western Cape.

South Africa has around 300ha of kiwi fruit under production, but this could grow to between 1 500ha and 2 000ha over the next few years.

South Africa currently imports 95% of its kiwi fruit requirements.

Approximately 40 years ago, a number of over-optimistic local farmers saw an opportunity for growing kiwi fruit in South Africa, and planted green-flesh kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa) varieties here. Some burnt their fingers in the process, and today there is still some resistance to kiwi fruit production in the country.

Peter Turner, director of SA Kiwi Pollen, explains