rd kiwi harvest, which started earlier compared to the historical average, is about to finish at the main production areas. Only around 4% remains to be harvested, mainly in the southern region of Bio Bio. The rains of weeks 18 and 19 have not had a great impact on either the harvesting process or the fruit's quality.The volumes harvested this season match the initial estimates of the Kiwi Committee, especially considering the effects of the frosts registered in September 2013. Calibres have been smaller than in previous seasons and the fruit's appearance has also been slightly altered.
The suitable weather conditions during both spring and summer have resulted in a good internal quality for the fruit, with high levels of dry matter and sugars. The average pulp hardness at the orchards has been slightly lower this season, but according to the Chilean Kiwi Committee, the handling has been carried out appropriately through quick harvests, avoiding storage problems.
For its part, the harvest of the Jintao variety is also well underway and currently concentrates in the areas of Valparaiso and Maule.
Regarding Psa control measures, the recent rains, right at the end of the harvest and with leaves already falling, forced producers to reapply the copper treatment required to prevent the spread of the disease.
Exports to the U.S.
During weeks 17 and 18, import kiwi sales were slower compared to previous weeks, especially for Chilean fruit, as the current priority is to liquidate the remaining Italian supply. The latter would mostly consist of older fruit, while the quality of Chilean kiwis is still reported to be good, as well as its condition on arrival. Some importers are opting to store the Chilean produce to sell it further down the line.
During week 17, Chilean Hayward kiwi prices decreased slightly in both coasts, ranging between 20 and 24 dollars per 9 kilos for calibres in the 20's and between 17 and 24 dollars per 9 kilos for calibres in the 30's, while those in the 40s reached between 18 and 20 dollars per 9 kilos. At week 18, prices remained quite stable
Within the next few weeks, once the Italian supply is sold out, both sales volumes and prices are expected to improve for Chilean kiwis.
Exports to Europe
In recent weeks, the kiwi market has been good in Europe, with good demand matching the existing supply. The little Italian fruit left reached relatively stable prices at weeks 17 and 18, of between € 16.25 and € 18 per 10 kilos for calibres in the 20's; between € 12 and € 17.5 / 10 kilos, for those in the 30's and between € 12 and € 13.75 / 10 kilos for calibres in the 40's.
As for the supply of Chilean Hayward kiwis in the European market, it is still limited, making it difficult to determine clear trends in sales prices; however, it is said that prices should range between € 17 and € 21 /10 kilos, depending on calibre; higher on average than the prices registered in 2013.
Latin American Market
In Mexico, the Hayward kiwi market was stable during weeks 17 and 18, with higher sales prices for the fruit of Chilean origin, around 47% higher compared to the previous season. To be precise, during week 17 Chilean kiwis reached between 3.05 and 3.22 dollars / kilo for the calibres in the 20's and around 2.03 dollars / kilo for calibres 30 and 33.
In Brazil, the kiwi market was rather quiet; however, demand was sufficient to absorb the little Chilean supply that there is. Chilean kiwi imports are already increasing and the first prices registered are higher on average than in the previous campaign.
Exports to the Far East
In Guangzhou / China, the kiwi supply consists mainly of Chilean Hayward, which reached prices during week 17 of around 3.14 dollars / kilo for the calibre 30 and 2.81 dollars / kilo for the 27. During week 18, market conditions remained stable, with good demand for Chilean kiwis and prices of around 2.95 dollars / kilo (calibres 27 and 30).
Meanwhile, in Taiwan, the kiwi supply is mostly from New Zealand and, to a lesser extent, from Europe. In general, sales prices have remained stable.
