Despite the climatic difficulties that limited production, in 2021 the 
kiwifruit grown from the Mediterranean, particularly in Italy, continues to 
record the appreciation of consumers all over the world thanks to a superior 
quality and taste of these fruits, which settled in the 1950s and today among 
the first in the world. True masterpieces of nature that the project The 
European Art of Taste has helped to promote among consumers in China, Japan, 
Hong Kong and Taiwan, thanks to the funding from the EU, CSO Italy, and leading 
Italian companies in the sector.

In recent years, the Italian cultivation of kiwi has seen, in fact, a 
continuous increase in production and dedicated hectares, reaching over 25 
thousand hectares of crops, evenly distributed in Lazio (5,219 ha), Emilia 
Romagna (3,491 ha), Piedmont (3,182 ha), Calabria (2,620 ha) and Veneto (1,955 
ha). Due to the predominance of the cultivation of green kiwi, characterized by 
90% of the Hayward cultivar which extends for over 19 thousand hectares (source 
Agrintesa), the new types with yellow and red pulp are increasingly important. 

Precisely the yellow kiwi, thanks to its sweet and aromatic flavor, is 
increasingly appreciated and widespread, registering a growth of + 23% in 2020 
compared to the previous year, with an extension that exceeds 5 thousand 
hectares (Agrintesa) which, in 2021, to a production of over 75,000 tons (+ 6% 
on 2020).

The Italian kiwifruit market, leader in Europe in terms of production and areas 
invested, is stable and constantly growing especially abroad, marking a total 
of 295 million euros in 2021, with growth of + 12.7% compared to the year. 
previous (Source Istat), positive data despite the cultivation difficulties 
dictated by climate change which, due to late frosts, limited the yield of the 
fruit.

To distinguish the kiwi of European origin that concentrates production in 
Italy and, to a lesser extent in Greece, France and Spain, there is the great 
tradition of cultivation that combines the newest plant protection and 
production techniques with traditional care, a great quality of the fruit and 
the safety guaranteed by strict controls along the entire supply chain.

For further information and details: www.europeanartoftaste.com; 
www.europeanartoftaste.ch

SOURCE: The European Art of Taste