The focus this winter has been on the extensive grafting of a new gold kiwifruit but another, much smaller fruit from the same family is also being established in the Bay of Plenty.

Seeka Kiwifruit Industries, working closely with Freshmaz NZ Ltd, has contracted several growers to graft the grape-sized kiwiberry this winter.

Kiwiberry is characterized by its sweet, kiwifruit-like flesh, small size and thin skin which means it doesn't need to be peeled and is delightful eaten whole.

'New Zealand-grown kiwiberry has access to an extensive range of international markets, a privilege not available to many export fruit categories. Our Kiwiberry marketing strategy is focused on steadily and significantly building demand in New Zealand, Europe and Asia, demand which is yet to be realised due to the lack of volume supply from New Zealand so far,” says Tony Mahoney, Freshmax Group CEO.

Over the last few years global demand for kiwiberry has continued to rise on the back of a sustained increase in market share for berryfruit. Freshmax has recognized this opportunity for New Zealand growers to benefit from increasing demand, through investment in kiwiberry production.

The company is the holder of the exclusive New Zealand master kiwiberry license, granted by Plant & Food Research (PFR) to commercialise four of their proprietary kiwiberry varieties. Freshmax says evidence to date is showing these kiwiberry varieties have a low level of susceptibility to the vine disease Psa-V.