Zespri’s first-ever charter vessel to the U.S. arrived in the port of Los Angeles on May 9, delivering SunGold kiwifruit to meet growing consumer demand. This shipment kicks off another anticipated season as more and more consumers look for delicious and nutritious options to add to their basket.

First bringing red kiwifruit to North America nearly a decade ago and again in recent seasons, Oppy is looking to build the market with this category complement through a fresh crop from Italy and Greece.

In 2020, Oppy supplied over 30 percent of all kiwifruit available in the North American market, according to U.S. Census Bureau Trade Data and Statistics Canada. Oppy is employing new ways to optimize the expanding shelf spaced dedicated to the nutrient-dense fruit.

In addition to celebrating the success of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit accounting for 47 percent of the total kiwi category growth, local and international staff will be available at the New York Produce Show Dec. 13-16 to share information on successful selling tools, customized programs, and resources available to help promote Zespri’s Northern Hemisphere SunGold kiwifruit.

Trucco works with kiwifruit year-round thanks to strong relationships with growers from different regions around the world.

Since Zespri has put more commitment into the U.S. market, the kiwi category has seen phenomenal growth in the country, all driven by the company’s proprietary SunGold Kiwi, the largest and top-growing kiwifruit.

The Chilean Kiwifruit season is in full swing with export projections of 145,000 tons. Chile has shipped 76 percent of that (110,624 tons of kiwifruit worldwide) through Week 29.  North America is Chile’s second-largest export market, and demand has been consistently strong throughout the season.  Volume to North America has increased by 20 percent from 2020, with 19,439 tons shipped through Week 29.