Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) production and marketing in Italy

We review the development and current status of the Italian kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) industry and highlight some of the differences between it and the kiwifruit industries of other countries, especially New Zealand. The Italian kiwifruit industry is important both nationally and internationally. Italy produces more kiwifruit than any other country apart, possibly, from China. Italy and New Zealand are the world’s two biggest kiwifruit exporters. The first kiwifruit orchards were established in Italy only 40 years ago and by 2007 they occupied 26 700 ha and produced 400–500 000 t fruit each year. Most Italian kiwifruit plantings are of the cultivar ‘Hayward’ but there are now orchards of several new cultivars, including yellow-fleshed kiwifruit. The cultivation methods used in Italy are similar to those in New Zealand but there are some regional differences. The biggest difference with New Zealand is in the marketing of the crop. Nearly all kiwifruit from New Zealand are exported whereas most Italian kiwifruit are consumed within Italy or in other countries of the European Union.