Page 7 - October freshletter_UK

“SLIGHTLY LOWER KIWI VOLUMES

IN THE AREA OF PIERIA THIS SEASON”

The advantages and dangers in the kiwi sector are described
by Mr. Zisis Manosis, General Director of Zeus Kiwi S.A, who
focuses at the topics that were analyzed during IKO conference.

ZISIS MANOSIS

GENERAL DIRECTOR
OF ZEUS KIWI S.A

Mr. Manosis, what are the first esti- Southern Hemisphere are too low this time
mations about the production volume of year, something that is going to be an
of kiwis in the area of Pieria? advantage for the early varieties, such as
The kiwi production in our area will be Green Light.
slightly reduced this season, in compari- The stocks of the Southern
son with last year, but the god news is that Are the low Italian quantities going to
the weather has not provoked any dam- Hemisphere are too low this be an advantage, as far as the trade of
ages yet. Nevertheless, the lack of rain- Greek kiwis is concerned?
falls does not permit us to make accurate time of year, something that The Italian production will not be re-
predictions about kiwi brix levels. The on- duced much this year. It is said that the
ly sure thing is that the first quantities will is going to be an advantage quantities will be lees 10%, in comparison
be cut after 20th of October. for the early varieties, such as with last year. Either way, Italy having less
quantity always is an advantage for us.
Last year you had problems with Green Light.
Halyomorpha Halys. What is the sit- What did the representatives of the
uation this season? sector discuss during IKO confer-
Unfortunately, the problems are more ence?
this season. As I had noted last year Haly- We announced the predictions about the
omorpha Halys is the new enemy of kiwis. new season of kiwis and it came out that
Every method that has been used so far countries with a severe kiwi production
has been ineffective. volume were absent once more this year.
All producers should be aware of this son of kiwis. Which is your first pre- I am talking about China, the biggest pro-
insect and ask their agronomists’ advice. diction? ducer of kiwis worldwide and Iran, which is
This insect does not provoke damages on It is too soon yet and we cannot make estimated to produce around 240.000 tons
the fruit. It makes kiwis fall of the trees. any accurate predictions. For example, last of kiwis this season.
So, if a producer sees kiwi fall, they should year we did not have many quantities and These two countries have not partici-
contact their agronomist. the sector expected high prices, something pated in any IKO conferences so far and we
that never happened. Regarding the new cannot be certain about their exact pro-
Let’s talk about the commercial sea- season, I only know that the stocks of the duction volume of kiwis. .

OCTOBER 2019