Decline in exports of kiwifruit

Production and exports of New Zealand kiwis will decrease in 2013.

The services of USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) predict a decrease in production and exports of New Zealand kiwifruit. The bacterium PSA (Pseudomonas syringae, cause of bacterial canker of kiwifruit) has now infected 62% of the country's kiwifruit orchards, leading to the decline in production for the second consecutive year.

It is likely that production will decline and be around 338,400 tonnes for the calendar year 2013. Production will be between 312,000 and 366,000 tonnes (assumptions of maximum and minimum). Exports are expected to reach 319,000 tonnes in 2013, well below the 400,817 tons exported in 2011.

Source: fas usda gov