The Chinese kiwi fruit industry has rapidly developed in the last few years because the retail price of this medium- to high-end market fruit was attractive and market demand was huge. Chinese consumer demand for this fruit grows by more than 20% every year and, as the overall surface area devoted to Chinese kiwi fruit plantation expands, the popularity of this fruit in the Chinese market only grows.
In addition, markets in third- and fourth tier cities are becoming increasingly important. And consumer patterns are changing. Chinese consumer pay more and more attention to product quality.
Chinese kiwi fruit production areas are widely distributed across the country. There are traditional production areas in Shaanxi and Sichuan, but more recent expansions such as Shiping in Yunnan show great comparative advantages.
Shiping is located on the 23rd parallel north, on the tropic of cancer, at a height of 1,653 meters above sea level. The unique environmental conditions in Shiping are ideally suited for the cultivation of kiwi fruit. The temperature difference between night and day is big, between 15-20 degrees, which helps the kiwi fruit grow. In addition, Shiping receives an average of 15 sun hours per day, which guarantees a high sugar content and delicious flavor. The average sugar content of Shiping red heart kiwi fruit can be as much as 23%, while the average sugar content of yellow heart kiwi fruit can reach 18%.
"Our plantation in Shiping is around 133 hectares. The product varieties we manage are red sun kiwi fruit and yellow gold kiwi fruit. The new harvest officially began on the 20th of July, which is slightly later than usual. The supply period will continue until November. The production volume increased 150% in comparison with last year. The overall production volume is estimated at 1,200 tons. The fruit spent more time on the vine this season, so their sugar content is also higher and their fragrance stronger." This is according to Tang Rao of Shiping County Zhuoyi Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Kiwi fruit processing factory
According to Mr. Tang, "our 'Yunnan Monkey King' brand has advantages that clearly stood out in the Chinese market in the last few years. First, the growing period of our kiwi fruit is longer, because the vines bear fruit earlier than in other production areas. Second, our kiwi fruit ripens nearly two months earlier than kiwi fruit from Sichuan and Shaanxi, and so we can store and transport our fruit nearly two months earlier. We can keep our kiwi fruit in cold storage for six months, so that our retail period can be extended into March of the subsequent year. This allows us to take advantage of staggered retail periods. Third, we implement organic management methods. We do not use injections to enlarge the kiwi fruit. The unique appearance of red sun kiwi fruit is completely natural, and all our kiwi fruit meets high standards of product quality. The average weight is around 60-70 grams a piece. The size of yellow heart kiwi fruit is relatively big, around 120 grams a piece."
'Yunnan Monkey King' red heart kiwi fruit
'Yunnan Monkey King' red heart kiwi fruit
As for their retail strategy, Zhuoyi Agricultural Technology Development built up a strong foundation in the major markets of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen in the last few years, and is now ready to actively expand into Hubei, Hunan, and Zhengzhou.
According to Mr. Tang: "We sell our kiwi fruit via traditional retail channels and e-commerce platforms. We hope to reach even more consumers and share with them the unique flavor of 'Yunnan Monkey King' kiwi fruit."
For more information:
Mr. Tang Rao
Shiping County Zhuoyi Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Website: http://www.ynmht.com
Tel.: +86 133 3040 7161