Kiwi marketer enjoying brisk sales in Phl

MANILA, Philippines -  New Zealand’s biggest marketer of kiwi fruit, Zespri International (Asia) Ltd., continues to grow its sales in the Philippines despite emerging competition from kiwis imported from Chile.

Banking on it pioneering entry in the Philippines, Zespri’s regional market development manager for Southeast/South Asia Steven Bunyan revealed the company’s plans to continue increasing its sales of the exotic kiwi fruit with the help of Elite Fruit Marketing Inc.

This year, Bunyan said Zespri plans to increase its sales of both green and gold kiwi fruit to 180,000 trays/box containing about 36 fruits each. In 2008, Zespri sold about 3.3 million pieces in the Philippines.

This time around, however, Bunyan said Zespri wants to increase its sales of the gold kiwi which is much sweeter than the more tart-tasting green kiwi variety.

Bunyan admitted there is a need to continue educating the Filipino consumers on the healthy benefit of the kiwi fruit which has a low glycemic index and is good for diabetics and those concerned about their sugar levels.

At the same time, Bunyan also noted increasing competition from kiwi fruits coming from Chile, but insisted that New Zealand kiwis are far superior to those produced in other countries.

Zespri is the world’s largest marketer of kiwi fruit, exporting around two billion pieces of kiwi fruit to 65 countries. Its export revenues average around $800 million a year.

The company was previously known as the New Zealand Kiwifruit marketing board.

Zespri’s biggest export market is Japan, with China fast increasing its import of the fruit.

China actually grows its own kiwi fruit which is locally known as gooseberry. In fact, the kiwi fruit was originally cultivated in China.

Southeast Asia accounts for around four percent of Zespri’s sales and thus hold great market potential. The Philippines, accounts for an even more minimal 1.5 percent.

Zespri has been able to make substantial inroads of the fruit in Indonesia and Malaysia.

However, the kiwi fruit (per piece) is now selling at a slightly premium price of around P25 for the green variety and around P35 for the gold variety. Two years ago, the kiwi fruit sold at just P19 per piece.

The kiwi fruit is a naturally high source of vitamins, provides excellent mineral balance, is high in anti-oxidants and is full of phyto-nutrients.