During a conference about next kiwifruit campaign held at Northern Italian wholesale market Veronamercato (reported by CorriereOrtofrutticolo.it), data on domestic production were released, which confirm the regions of Lazio, Piemonte, Emilia Romagna and Veneto (Verona mainly) at the forefront of kiwifruit production. Total saleable produce should amount 436,000 tons.

Lazio is the main growing area and is expected to fall to 149,785 tons compared to 186,081 last year, mainly due to wind damage that is going to cause a 20% crop reduction. While in Veneto region (4th producer), whose supply should amount some 64,614 tons, hail has damaged part of the trees and will cause a 9% fall against 2008 crop.

Piemonte (2nd main Italian producer) will harvest 128,107 tons of kiwifruits, for an estimated increase by 3% over last year. Emilia Romagna ranks third and is expected to register an upsurge by17% in the 2009/2010 season, with 75,943 total tonnes.

During the conference were also broadcast the data on international crop forecasts were also discussed, made public during the World Congress organized by IKA (International Kiwifruit Organization), held this year in Canet en Roussillon, Perpignan on 14-16 September.

Italy accounts for approximately 70% of the northern hemisphere output. It is followed at a considerable distance by Greece, whose estimated crop for the 2009/2010 season is about 90,000 tons (+20% over 2008/09). In the fruit Northern Hemisphere sales of kiwifruits are made from October through May.

In the Southern Hemisphere New Zealand is confirmed to the leading producer: its estimated production in 2009/2010 will be about 353,000 tons (+4.74%). The marketing of kiwifruit from New Zealand takes place between April and November. The other major kiwifruit producing country in the Southern Hemisphere is Chile with an estimated production this season around 170,000 tons (+6% compared to last campaign).