The kiwi, originally from China, was refined by New Zealand breeders and introduced to Europe. Today, alongside New Zealand and Chile, European countries such as Italy, France and Greece are the largest exporters.
Where are kiwis mainly grown?
The most important growing regions for kiwis are China, New Zealand, Italy, France, Greece, Spain and Chile. These countries supply the world market with the vitamin-rich berry fruit and meet the climatic requirements for good growth of the kiwi plant.
Kiwi (lat. Actinidia deliciosa) is a berry fruit of the cultivated ray stylus. The fruits are oval, about 6-8 cm in size and have a brown, hairy skin. They grow in large numbers on a high-climbing, twining shrub and are harvested unripe. They ripen during transport and storage.
Climate requirements of the kiwifruit plant
To thrive, kiwi plants need nutrient-rich soil, lots of sun and sufficient rainfall. Kiwis can grow anywhere
- very warm summers,
- mild winters and
- there is no frost in spring.
In China, the areas of Changjiang and Sichuan are where kiwis are mainly grown. On New Zealand's North Island, the Bay of Plenty has a decades-long tradition as a kiwi growing area. In Italy these are the central Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lazio.
Growing countries worldwide
The hardy kiwi bush is grown not only in China and New Zealand, but also in Europe. France, Italy, Greece and Spain supply the other European countries with the vitamin-rich kiwi fruit. Chile is another big supplier to European supermarkets. Kiwis from Taiwan, Japan, South Korea or the USA are not exported to Europe.
Where do kiwis come from in Germany?
In Germany, kiwis are in season all year round. The fruits are part of the standard range of German supermarkets, including discounters. In the period from April to November they come to us from the southern hemisphere, from Chile and New Zealand. The harvest begins in Italy, Greece and France in September.
Tips & Tricks
The kiwi bush has now also found its way into German gardens. The frost-resistant mini kiwis with smooth, edible skin are particularly productive.
