SA kiwi fruit farmers have a window of opportunity to go global thanks to new techniques and varieties.
Daily Maverick Reports: “Growing kiwi fruit in hot and dry South Africa is tricky. But new techniques and varieties, combined with a worldwide shortage, are giving a small group of farmers hope that they’ll soon go big in global markets.
The 40 determined farmers growing kiwi fruit in South Africa – some of whom have soldiered on for many years in this micro industry – are beginning to believe in a rejuvenated industry with the introduction of new kiwi varieties more suited to this country’s climate.
If prospects go as expected over the five-to-10-year period, the not-yet-500ha industry has the potential to grow up to 2,000 to 3,000ha, says Peter Turner, director for SA Kiwi Pollen (SAKP), the licence holder of Soreli kiwis in South Africa.” Read the full article on the Daily Maverick website.
