Key Highlights
- China dominates global kiwi production with over 2.4 million tonnes in 2025.
- The top five exporters comprise China, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, and Iran.
- New Zealand’s Zespri brand remains a key player, especially with the SunGold variety.
- Production totals around 4.43 million tonnes worldwide, underscoring kiwi’s growing popularity.
Detailed Insights
China: By far the largest producer, concentrating output in Shaanxi, Sichuan and Henan. High‑yield cultivars such as Hong Yang and Xuxiang contribute to a domestic market rich in Vitamin C. State‑of‑the‑art harvesting tech and cold‑storage enhance both quantity and quality, yielding more than half of the world’s supply.
New Zealand: Ranks second with roughly 603,500 tonnes, the Bay of Plenty being the core agricultural zone. The Zespri label offers green and SunGold (yellow) kiwis, celebrated for firmness, sweetness, and extended shelf life.
Italy: Holds the third spot with about 523,100 tonnes. Key regions include Lazio, Emilia‑Romagna and Piedmont, where the Hayward variety thrives in a mild climate and fertile soils. A large share is re‑exported to European and Asian markets.
Greece: Produces around 320,300 tonnes. Central Macedonia and Thessaly provide Mediterranean conditions that keep the fruit juicy and sweet. Export volume is high, mainly to Germany and France.
Iran: Contributes 294,600 tonnes. Farmers in Mazandaran near the Caspian Sea focus on the reliable Hayward variety. Growing domestic demand and stable production have positioned Iran as a notable regional exporter.
Key Concepts
- Kiwi: A small, globular fruit with green flesh and a nutrient‑dense profile.
- Vitamin C Content: A defining nutrient that makes kiwis a popular health food globally.
- Harvesting Technology: Modern equipment and storage solutions that increase yield and preserve quality.
- Export Market Share: The proportion of a country’s production sold abroad.
- Production Tonnage: The annual amount of a crop harvested, measured in tonnes.