As part of its development strategy, Euralis has launched several sectors for farmers, including the kiwi sector. In partnership with the SCAAP Kiwifruits de France cooperative, a major player on the French market, Euralis offers to support farmers in carrying out their arboriculture project until they join SCAAP Kiwifruits de France. The support is complete, from the project sizing to the choice of land and the marketing of the fruit. For the producers, this means an interesting diversification in terms of economy, and a stronger resilience of their farm.
For several months, the Euralis cooperative has been encouraging farmers to start producing kiwis. So far, 120 farmers have expressed an interest in this sector and claim to be willing to carry out a kiwi orchard project. “40 producers have already signed projects, which would represent a total of 60 hectares,” explains Cédric Brana, who is in charge of developing this sector. “A majority of them are located in the Gascogne and Gave regions, where the soil and climate conditions are favorable.”
The profile of those who are willing to start varies from young farmers to older producers that are ready to retire. But these are always structuring life projects and all these farmers share the common desire to diversify their activities and secure their income. They mostly produce yellow and green kiwis. “We are currently working on a project to produce red kiwis, with agrivoltaics,” explains Cédric Brana.
Customized support at all key stages of the project
Euralis supports its farmers at all planting stages of the orchard. First with the design phase, which includes a visit to discover kiwi production, followed by some advice on the choice of plot validated by a technician of SCAAP Kiwifruits of France and help with the sizing of the project (protection nets, trellising, irrigation…). This personalized support continues through the feasibility study and also includes the financing plan and application for subsidies. It ends with the concrete implementation of the project, joining SCAAP Kiwifruits de France and starting with the planting of the orchards.
“We want to secure all stages of each orchard project, by detailing the cultivation specificities of the production model,” explains Fabien Bec, development manager at SCAAP Kiwifruits de France. “The farmers benefit from the synergies between the two cooperatives. While Euralis helps with the sizing of the farming project, we guarantee the technical expertise and marketing of the fruit.”
Why start a kiwi production?
Kiwi production is accessible and profitable and the sector is dynamic. Many varieties are produced locally: from the more historic Hayward kiwi to the yellow-fleshed Gold kiwi, marketed under the same Oscar® brand, and the mini Nergi® kiwi. There are clients for each variety. Kiwi consumption has indeed been increasing constantly. In France, there has been a growth of 10,000 tons in the past 7 years. Each household consumes a little less than 5 kg of kiwis per year. The fruit is especially appreciated for its antioxidant properties. Low in calories, kiwis are also rich in fibers and excellent for cardiovascular health.
Southwestern France, land of the kiwi
Southwestern France has ideal conditions for kiwi production: oceanic climate with temperatures that are low enough for the plant to rest, a good amount of sun, as well as a fertile and humid soil, due to the proximity with the ocean and the Adour and Gave rivers. Southwestern France therefore counts 75% of the French kiwi production and also has the Red Label and a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication): Kiwi of Adour.
Anne-Laure and Gilles Arramon, who are starting a kiwi production in Bournos, offer their testimony. “We started this kiwi production project because we wanted to diversify our activities on the farm and opt for a sustainable activity. We are accompanied in this project by Euralis and SCAAP, which guide us in all our choices. In the end, of course, we still have the upper hand over our decisions. The work began in the fall of 2021. We decided to produce 1 hectare of yellow kiwis and 1 hectare of green kiwis, on 2 different plots. We chose them because they comply with the specifications and because they are close to our home. In total, we plan to invest approximately 140,000 euros [151,370 USD]. We will benefit from subsidies, as well as a cash advance of 7,000 euros [7,570 USD] per hectare, paid by SCAAP Kiwifruits de France. We relied on a feasibility study which we constructed with Euralis, in order to dress our plan of activity (financing, subsidies, return on investment, cash management). It is important for us to secure the project as a whole.”
For more information:
euralis.fr