"We're very happy with the early period in which Dori can be harvested," says Roelof du Toit, technical director at The Kiwi Connection. For the next two weeks, the yellow kiwi variety will be picked in Grabouw and Rawsonville and, shortly thereafter also in George. He adds they've been pleased by the new crop's sizing and quality.
In ten to fourteen days, their red kiwifruit will follow. The first commercial volumes were last year sent by sea and air freight. This year volumes have grown and the fruit will go out mostly by ship, with air freight to fill the gaps. "We are very excited about our red kiwis," he says. "This year we're marketing it as red kiwifruit, but from next, it will be available under the Kiupi brand. The Kiupi variety is famous for its bigger fruit size and better storage."
Dori kiwifruit (copyright: Kiwi Connection)
Dori kiwis sail in before New Zealand
Dori kiwi volumes are expected to grow substantially over the next coming seasons. By next week the South African Dori season will be done.
They need to be quick about it: indications are that New Zealand's main kiwi crop will be available in Europe from the middle of April. "At the moment that market is still open for yellow kiwis but it becomes more difficult when New Zealand's crop arrives," Du Toit remarks. "The first Dori kiwis are on the water, but we're also flying out Doris to the customers in France and in Europe."
He continues: "Overall the market still asks for yellow kiwifruit and the demand is there, but it is very clear that kiwifruit marketing is different from other commodities. In the same way as our main competitor Zespri, kiwifruit should be sold under a one-desk selling system where the volume, brand, and quality are controlled."
If this is not possible, he advises, clients will stick to the concept but buy it from other competing single-desk selling companies, like Zespri. "Therefore, we believe in investing in brands and varieties that offer this option."
Skelton kiwis grown for Kiwi Connection in the Mpumalanga Lowveld are marketed under the brand name Sunveld, while Soreli are packed into generic packaging.
For more information:
Roelof du Toit
The Kiwi Connection
Email: roelofdt@kiwico.co.za