Italian firm forecasts increases in domestic, French and Southern Hemisphere production during the coming 12 months

ACCORDING to a report in this week's Eurofruit Newsline, Italian consortium Summerkiwi expects to double its production of its early-harvesting kiwifruit in 2006.

Group director Giampaolo Dal Pane revealed that, with growing area now covering some 270ha, volumes for the coming year are set to increase to 3,000 tonnes, compared with around 1,500 tonnes in 2005.

This year should also see the addition of some 60ha, said Mr Dal Pane.

The fruit is mainly produced in Italy by Summerfruit and distributed by three companies – Minguzzi, Mazzoni and Sanifrutta – to markets in Italy, Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

A joint venture in France, meanwhile, called Summerkiwi France was recently established by Summerfruit in conjunction with Sofruileg, part of the Scap Kiwifruit de France group.

In November 2005, Summerkiwi's production in France received a boost with the inclusion of Groupe Barniol, based near the Pyrenees.

The French operation now covers around 100ha, with a further 50ha expected to come online by March 2006.

During the past year, new production areas have also been established in the Southern Hemisphere, including 30ha in Argentina.

In 2006, this figure is expected to reach 100ha.

Summerkiwi will be present at this year's Fruit Logistica in Berlin – Hall 2.2, Stand D-11