Availability
NZ KiwiBerry is harvested from late February through to early-mid April. Fruit is air freighted during this time and stocked in most leading NZ supermarkets.
 New Zealand Growing Regions
The majority of plantings are in the Bay of Plenty of New Zealand located on the northern facing coast of the north island. There are small plantings in Canterbury, Nelson and Auckland At present approximately 22 hectares is in commercial production.
Planting and Growth Habit
NZ KiwiBerry is grown on a pergola system with each plant growing in a 5 metre by 3.6 metre canopy area.
The plants are dioecious, which means separate male and female vines are required in the orchard for pollination to occur.
KiwiBerry requires well sheltered land that is free draining and frost free in spring.
Cropping
Grown under optimum conditions, 23 tonnes of fruit per hectare can be produced. Unfortunately the costs involved with harvesting and handling such a small fruit are high. NZ KiwiBerry Growers Inc will continue to develop improved postharvest handling systems to reduce the labour component required.
  
Harvesting and Packing
Currently fruit is hand picked into small containers and then transferred to cartons of up to 6 kg before transport to a packhouse. After grading, fruit is packed into clear plastic clamshell punnets weighing 125-175 grams for display and sale at retail.
Picking, packing and packaging costs are high for KiwiBerry compared to other Kiwifruit varieties, and the fruit needs to be air freighted to international markets.
NZ KiwiBerry should be stored in a refrigerator like other high value berry fruits. It has a 3-10 day shelf life at room temperature.
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FAQs
As well as being very high in Vitamin C, NZ KiwiBerry are a great source of Vitamins A and E, calcium, magnesium and iron.
More Info +
NZ KiwiBerry Growers Inc.
Neil McLoughlin
Executive Officer
M: 027 403 6647
PO Box 484
Te Puke
Bay of Plenty 3153
New Zealand
Email Us +
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