“A positive season, particularly from the second half of the marketing period onwards,” says Cristian Moretti, director of the Agrintesa cooperative in Faenza (Ravenna), offering a fairly clear assessment of the 2025/26 kiwi season. “We’ve seen an increase in volumes compared to 2024, when the harvest was rather low. New orchards have come into production, particularly for yellow kiwis. Our main production areas are in Emilia-Romagna, Lazio and Calabria.”
Agrintesa received 53,000 tonnes of yellow and green kiwis from its members. Specifically, Hayward kiwis increased by 14 per cent compared to 2024. “From a commercial perspective, the market has responded well, although, at least until February, we had expected a bit more. From early March onwards, however, demand and prices have been more satisfactory and in line with expectations. There may be various reasons for this marked improvement, but I would say that, in spring, there are few facilities (at European level) with large quantities that are well preserved. Consequently, the number of operators on the market decreases, volumes decrease and, as a result, specialisation in the product makes the difference: those with good-quality, well-preserved kiwis are now achieving very attractive prices. In the early part of the season, Greece has, for years now, been the fiercest competitor in terms of both supply and prices.”
He continues: “Agrintesa has always been a leading player in the kiwi fruit sector in many respects and, on the European stage, is regarded as a reliable partner for major retail groups. It is worth noting that in recent weeks the selling price of Hayward kiwis has been higher than a year ago. All of this is positive in terms of the final payment that will be made to producers”.
Agrintesa will have conventional and organic kiwis available until the end of May. Its market is not only domestic but is primarily focused on overseas markets: Germany, Scandinavia, Great Britain and Poland are the main destinations, but sales take place throughout Europe. “We have also sold kiwis overseas,” concludes Moretti, “but the majority of the product has remained on the continent.”
Source: © FreshPlaza.it / Cristiano Riciputi
Publication date: Mon 20 Apr 2026
