Kiwifruit (Actinidiaspp.) production and marketing in Italy

Abstract

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 0001 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.

Efficacy of different chemical and biological products in the control of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae on kiwifruit

“…The global production was over 1.4 million tons in 2012, and Italy produced around 384,000 t (FAOSTAT 2014). Italy produces more kiwifruit than any other country apart, possibly, from China (Testolin and Ferguson 2009). Piedmont (northwest Italy), where 6,050 ha of kiwifruit are cultivated (Piedmont Region -AGRISTAT 2011), is the largest Italian region responsible for kiwifruit storage and export, and the second largest producer of the fruit (ISTAT 2011).…”

Nutritional traits and antioxidant capacity of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa Planch., cv. Hayward) grown in Italy

“…The cultivation of kiwi is widespread throughout the world. Since the early 1960s, when kiwi began to be grown in Italy, the cultivation of this fruit has increased steadily, so that Italy has become one of the world's largest producer of kiwifruit (Testolin and Ferguson, 2009). About 37% of the Italian kiwifruit production is in central Italy (Lazio region); this corresponds to about 10% of the world's production (Testolin and Ferguson, 2009).…”

“…Since the early 1960s, when kiwi began to be grown in Italy, the cultivation of this fruit has increased steadily, so that Italy has become one of the world's largest producer of kiwifruit (Testolin and Ferguson, 2009). About 37% of the Italian kiwifruit production is in central Italy (Lazio region); this corresponds to about 10% of the world's production (Testolin and Ferguson, 2009). The favorable pedoclimatic conditions of this area, the temperate climate, high light radiation and rarity of frost have enabled the rapid development of the crop in this area, and the quality of kiwifruit grown in this area has led to the attribution of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) by the European Union (EU) in 2004.…”

Production of transgenic kiwifruit plants harboring the SbtCry1Ac gene

“…China, Italy, New Zealand, and Chile account for around 80% of the world's commercial kiwifruit production. Currently, the international kiwifruit industry consists of more than 120,000 ha of orchards and has an annual production that exceeds 1.4 million metric tons of fresh fruit (Ferguson, 2007;Mabberley, 2008;Testolin and Ferguson, 2009;Huang et al, 2013). However, pests are a common problem in kiwifruit orchards.…”