New kiwifruit variety, Summerfruit, to give exporters a boost
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
A new variety of kiwifruit is set to give exporters a boost.
Summerfruit, an early maturing, sweeter green variety, has been picked for the first time in Kerikeri in Northland, according to NewsTalkZB.
It matures at around the same time as gold kiwifruit and will be available around four weeks earlier than the traditional green Hayward variety.
The report, citing Turners and Growers, says Summerfruit gives growers an earlier start to the export season ahead of Southern Hemisphere competitors. It estimates the variety has annual export potential of up to 12 million trays, which would earn around NZ$84 million a year for New Zealand's kiwifruit industry.
The fruit will be in commercial production next year, the report adds.