Page 11 - October freshletter_UK

“THE CULTIVATION OF YELLOW KIWIS

EXPAND IN SOUTHERN ITALY”

Mr. Christos Xyloyiannis, Agronomist and Professor of Basilicata
University in Italy talks about the new season of Italian kiwis, not-
ing down the main problems of the sector.

CHRISTOS XILOYIANNIS

AGRONOMIST – PROFESSOR OF
BASILICATA UNIVERSITY IN ITALY

Mr. Xyloyiannis, can you tell us what
last year was like for Italian kiwis?
Last season did not go well for our ki-
wis, as the fruit had low quality and pric-
es. More precisely, producer prices for Hay-
ward variety reached 0,45-0,70 euros/kilo,
whereas the same prices for bio kiwis were
0,80 euros/kilo. Regarding yellow kiwi va- eas and affected mostly green kiwis which
rieties, their prices reached 1.20-1.50 eu- were not under anti hail nets.
ros/kilo.
What about halyomorpha halys? Are
What are the first estimations about the damages provoked by this insect
the new season of kiwis in Italy? severe in Italy?
The main production areas show a fall Halyomorpha halys has been present in Halyomorpha halys has been
15%, in comparison with last year, small Italy for the last three years, but it hasn’t present in Italy for the last
calibers of fruit and higher costs than the affected kiwis in the South. It is really dif-
Greek ones. Regarding yellow varieties, ficult to deal with and many countries, in- three years, but it hasn’t
things are better this season, as every- cluding Italy are trying to find the most ef-
thing shows that their production will be fective way to stop it from spreading. affected kiwis in the South.
higher than last year. It is really difficult to deal
Does the cultivation of yellow variet-
When does the harvest begin? ies expand? with and many countries,
The areas that gave the first quantities Yes, I see many areas of the South culti-
of yellow kiwis are in the South and be- vating exclusively yellow varieties of kiwis. including Italy are trying
gan at mid-September, whereas the har- This is why they produce more, they are
vest of Hayward variety begins after 15th better in cold temperatures and get high- to find the most effective
of October. Unfortunately, green kiwis will er prices. I have noticed new plantations of way to stop it from spreading
be small sized fruit as the weather was red varieties, but only in greenhouses. The
really bad during the period of blossom- expansion of kiwi cultivation is big and 70-
ing and did not lead to good pollination. 80% of it concerns yellow varieties in Cen-
Hailstorms were also intense at some ar- tral and Southern Italy.

OCTOBER 2019