The 2025 season for Chilean kiwi closed with 146,603 tons exported, accounting for a 2% increase compared to 2024 (143,156 tons), remaining above the projection of 135,832 tons.
“While this is one of the best seasons in the last 35 years, sustained by consistent fruit and solid performance in the main markets, the challenges lie in maintaining these levels,” highlighted Frutas de Chile.
For his part, Carlos Cruzat, president of the Kiwi Committee of Frutas de Chile, stated that “despite the record supply from New Zealand, we grew 2%, driven by excellent fruit. This shows that global demand continues to grow and that markets respond very well when Chilean kiwi offers consistency and flavor.”
Regarding markets, Europe remained the main destination, with about 40% of shipments and the reception of 59,434 tons, highlighting the Netherlands (hub), with over 20 thousand tons, followed by England (+11 thousand tons), as well as Italy and Spain, with over 8 thousand tons each.
Meanwhile, shipments to Latin America consolidated in second place, with 44,054 tons, highlighting countries such as Brazil (+16 thousand tons) and Mexico (+8 thousand tons). Also noteworthy were exports to North America, a market that received almost 20 thousand tons; and India, with a record of 17,000 tons.
The success of the season was not accidental. According to Cruzat, the positive feedback from importers and retailers was due to clear factors. “On one hand, I highlight the good quality of the Chilean kiwis, combined with fruit that has greater consistency, firmness, and is very tasty to eat, offering an excellent experience for the end consumer,” he commented.
“The fruit presented larger sizes, which translated into more kilos, also into a higher proportion of category 1, which was reflected in a higher yield in the process, with less waste. Furthermore, there was a more strategic harvest, as fruit with more Brix degrees (soluble solids) was obtained, which translated into better flavor, sweeter fruit,” he added.
On the other hand, he highlighted that in this 2025 there was sustained demand for green kiwi, despite the growth of competing yellow kiwi, which “shows that there is still a solid and good market for this product,” remarked the executive.
“The satisfaction of the entire commercial chain translated into prices that rewarded the quality of the Chilean product, generating good returns for producers and exporters,” stated the president of the Kiwi Committee.
2026 Challenge
With a view to the next season, the industry faces a crucial challenge. The orchards present a potential crop load up to 40% higher in flowers.
“This high level of flowering, if not managed correctly, could weaken the plant and result in small-sized fruit and lower quality,” warned Cruzat.
“If we learned that good fruit allows us to compete successfully, this year the focus must be on timely thinning before flowering. We cannot make the mistake of ‘leaving anything on the tree’; we must work to build the fruit that the market demands and ensure a successful season through effort and not by chance,” he added.
As a reflection of this focus on quality, the Kiwi Committee announced that, starting from the 2026 season, a gradual increase in the maturity parameters required for harvest will begin.
The process will culminate in 2027, when all production zones (with exceptions such as Valparaíso) must comply with the international standard of 6.0 degrees Brix and 16% dry matter, consolidating the reputation of Chilean kiwi in the world.
“This reflects the joint work between producers and exporters to strengthen the competitiveness and reputation of Chilean kiwi in international markets,” concluded Cruzat.
