This year, kiwi volumes were down by around 30%. The French kiwi season will end a month earlier than normal. "We are coming to the end of grading," explains Alexandre Cancel. "As a result of this drop in production, we will have larger fruit, with very good keeping quality and taste."
A late start to the season
This more modest yield was ultimately in line with a very late start to the season. "Both green and yellow Zespri kiwis were on the shelves for a long time, which inevitably had an impact on the presence of the French origin in the stores. As a result, French kiwis took hold around mid-December, and because we had fewer volumes, we were less worried about the start of the campaign."
Significant increase in sales of green kiwis since the end of the yellow campaign
In terms of marketing, sales were rather slow in December, with an increase in demand from January onwards. "At the end of the year, consumption was rather moderate, and we continued to see an increase in sales during January, supported by promotional actions in the stores. Since late February/early March, we have also seen a sharp increase in sales of green kiwis, linked to the end of the yellow kiwi season. This is what we feel every year: when the yellow season comes to an end, the demand for green kiwis increases, in all distribution networks."
© Vergers Cancel
Higher prices than last year
Prices have been higher than last year. "We absolutely had to compensate for this loss of tonnage with a higher price scale than last year. This was necessary so that the growers' turnover per hectare would be consistent with their investment. In fact, we have almost achieved this objective. The further into the season, the greater the difference in production, so we are currently fighting to offset these losses with slight price increases."
Positive results for yellow and red kiwis
The red kiwi season ended in January with the same volumes as last year. "Some of our new plantations came into production, which compensated for the general drop in yield. Sales went rather well. Red kiwis are becoming better known and more eagerly awaited, which is making it easier to sell off the merchandise."
Regarding yellow kiwis, despite the very low volumes, the season also went well. "The campaign ended at the beginning of January, as we did not have enough volumes to go any further, unfortunately. But with the revival of planting, we will be able to increase volumes from next year onwards."
Photo credits: Vergers Cancel
For more information:
Alexandre Cancel
Vergers Cancel
1 rue de l'Occitanie
ZA Barres 82100 Castelsarrasin
Phone: +33(0)5 63 04 82 13
a.cancel@vergers-cancel.fr
https://www.vergers-cancel.fr/