According to a report by Decofrut and the Chilean Kiwi Committee, Chile has exported 65,944 tons of kiwi by week 24 this year, which 50% less than in the same period of 2013. 95% of this total corresponds to the Hayward kiwi variety, which has also had a 50% drop in exports when compared to the previous year.
The main destinations for the Chilean Hayward kiwi are still Europe and the U.S., as they have received 24,958 tons and 13,731 tons respectively. Shipments of the Jintao variety to date total 988 tons, 45% less when compared to the same week of the 2013 season. The main market for this variety is the Far East (73%).
The U.S. Market
The volumes of kiwi from New Zealand in the U.S. have grown rapidly in recent weeks, coinciding with a gradual decrease in the quota from Chile, and the total supply remains low. The limited supply has enabled retail prices to remain high, even though the movement of fruit is moderate.
The sale prices of Chilean Hayward on the East Coast remained stable during week 24, as there was only a slight decrease in the maximum price obtained in the 30s. The 20s calibers were offered between U.S. $24 and $ 27 per 9 kilos, the 30s caliber prices were between U.S. $22 and U.S. $ 25 per 9 kilos, while the 40s caliber were sold between U.S. $21 and $ 23 per 9 kilos. Meanwhile on the West Coast, the 20s calibers were also offered between U.S. $ 23 and $27 per 9 kilos, while the 30s and 40s calibers had a slight increase, and were being traded between U.S. $ 22 and U.S. $25 per 9 kilos and between U.S. $21 and U.S. $ 23 per 9 kilos respectively.
The average value per kilo of the Chilean Hayward kiwi during week 24 was 79% higher than that recorded in the same time in 2013. So far in the current season, the prices achieved by the Chilean kiwi have been, in average, 27% higher than in the previous season.
European Market
Although the demand for imported fruits is lower than in previous years, sales of kiwi in general have remained in balance with the limited available supply, thus the fruit's movement has been between moderate to good.
The Chilean kiwi's quality and condition has been good and hasn't had any major problems. In recent weeks, sales prices have dropped but they continue to be higher than in the previous season.
During week 24, prices for Chilean Hayward kiwi remained stable as the 20 caliber fruit was sold between €17 and € 21 per 10 kilos and the 30s calibers were sold between €15 and €19 per 10 kilos. The smaller sizes were offered between €14 and € 16.50 per 10 kilos (40s). Thus, the positive difference in prices when compared to 2013, ranged between 15% and 39%, depending on the fruit's caliber.
The 39 caliber yellow kiwis from Chile were quoted at around €18.50 per 5.6 kilos. Meanwhile, the selling prices of the 27 calibre green Zespri from New Zealand remained relatively stable between € 22,34 and €22.70 per 10 kilos and the 30s calibers had prices between €18.8 and € 22.25 for 10 kilos. The average value per kilo for this fruit this week, was 4% higher than in the same period of 2013.
Latin American Markets
In the Mexican market, the volume of supply of kiwi, both Chile and New Zealand, is considerably low compared to the previous season, which has led to the displacement of fruit, although demand was found down by the high prices. Sales prices have remained relatively stable, although they have fallen slightly for the 20s calibers.
Thus, the sale prices of Chilean kiwi Hayward during week 24, were stable in general. Sales for the 27 calibre were between U.S. $2.72 and $2,90 per kilo for the rest of the 20s calibers. The 30s calibres quoted at around U.S. $ 2.72 per kilo. The average value per kilo for the 20s and 30s calibres for this week was 72% and 81% higher,respectively, than the same week last season.
Markets in the Far East
During week 24, sales of Chilean kiwifruit in Guangzhou, China, had a good pace, maintaining the overall performance recorded during the past two weeks. Prices tended to increase from last week, giving a greater increase for smaller fruit. Despite this, the 27 calibre kiwi was the most highly valued in the Chinese market, being traded at an average of U.S. $ 3.64 per kilo. Meanwhile, the 36 calibre Chilean Hayward variety had average prices of $ 3.50 per kilo.
