10 Worlds’ Biggest Kiwi Producers – According to FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2020, there are 10 Worlds’ Biggest Kiwi Producers. Basically, Kiwi has one of the popular fruits. Historically, this species is native to central and eastern China and at that time, it was consumed for medicinal purposes.
In the early 20th century, the popularity of kiwifruit increased. Some countries, especially, New Zealand cultivated these plants, and later become the main commodity in that country. Taxonomically, this plant was included in the Division: Tracheophyta; Subdivision: Spermatophyta; Class: Magnoliopsida; Superorder: Asteranae; Order: Ericales; Family: Actinidiaceae; Genus: Actinidia Lindl; Species: Actinidia chinensis Planch.
Statistically, the production of the World’s Kiwi fruits in 2020 reached 4.4 million tons, with the harvested area around 270 thousand hectares. Based on the continent production, the continent of Asia still has the highest production with 2.6 million tons, followed by Europe with 952 thousand tons, Oceania with 627 thousand tons, Americas with 195 thousand tons, and Africa with thirty-three tons.
Based on the Country area, there are 10 Worlds’ Biggest Countries of Kiwi Fruits. Here is the Rank of that. This Data was obtained from FAO Statistical Corporate Database (FAOSTAT) in 2020.
Table Rank of 10 Worlds’ Biggest Kiwi Producers in 2020
| Rank | Coountries | Production of Kiwi Fruit in 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| (Tons) | ||
| 1 | China, mainland | 2,230,065 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 624,940 |
| 3 | Italy | 521,530 |
| 4 | Greece | 307,440 |
| 5 | Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 289,608 |
| 6 | Chile | 158,919 |
| 7 | Turkey | 73,745 |
| 8 | France | 49,770 |
| 9 | Portugal | 45,820 |
| 10 | United States of America | 36,290 |
| Source : FAO Statistical Database, 2022 | ||
Brief Description of 10 Worlds’ Biggest Kiwi Producers
1. China, mainland
China is the World’s Biggest Kiwi producer in 2020. Statistically, the production of Kiwi reached 2.2 million tons. Geographically, the main region of kiwi plantation in China is around the central and lower Yang-tze River Valley. Genetically, there are more than fifty species of Kiwi Grown in China. Some varieties planted in China include 1) var. chinensis, soft-hair kiwi; 2) var. hispida, stiff-hair kiwi and 3) var. setosa, setose-hair kiwi.
2.New Zealand
New Zealand is the Second producer of Kiwi in 2020. Statistically, the production of Kiwi in this country reached 624 thousand tons. Geographically, there are some places that become the base area of Kiwi in New Zealand. These areas are Bay of Plenty which contributes 81% of NZ’s kiwifruit. Furthermore, the other areas that grow Kiwi are Waikato, Northland, Auckland, Nelson and Gisborne.
3.Italy
Italia is the third-biggest producer of Kiwi in 2020. Statistically, the production of Kiwi from Italy reached 521 thousand tons. Geographically, there are some regions that have become the main area of Kiwi production in Italy. Lazio, Piedmont, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto are some bases for are the production of Kiwi in Italy. Based on the area, the Region of Lazio has 1.2 thousand hectares (ha) of Kiwi orchard area, followed by Emilia-Romagna with 1.1 of Kiwi area, Piedmont with 858 hectares and Veneto with 522 hectares (ha). Genetically, Hayward cultivars is the most planted Kiwi in Italy, followed by Hort16A, Jinto (Kiwi Gold), and Summer Kiwi.
4. Greece
Greece is the fourth-biggest producer of Kiwi in 2020. According to FAO Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) in 2020, the production of Kiwi from Greece reached 307 thousand tons. Geographically, the kiwifruit is cultivated in many places in Greece, but the region Pieria still the main area of Kiwi Production. Genetically, in Greece, the main cultivar planted in Greece is the ‘Hayward’.
5.Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Iran is the fifth-biggest producer of Kiwi in 2020. According to FAO Statistical Database, in 2020, the production of Kiwi from Iran reached 289 thousand tons. The main cultivars are Actinidia deliciosa (Green-fleshed kiwi), namely Hayward, and yellow-fleshed Kiwi namely Hort. 16A. Geographically, The Caspian Sea region of the northern provinces of Iran is center of Kiwi Production of Kiwi because of its suitability to Kiwi plantation. Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan provinces are some areas of Kiwi production.
6.Chile
Chile is the sixth-biggest producer of Kiwi in 2020. According to FAO Statistical Database in 2020, the production of Kiwi from Chile reached 158 thousand tons. Chile is one of the largest exporters of kiwifruit in the world with the main market being Europe, followed by North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Far East. Historically, Kiwi arrived in Chile in 1976 and the first plantations were created in 1978. Along with the development of the usage of Kiwi, Chile has more than 11,000 hectares planted of kiwi.
7. Turkey
Turkey is the next country with the biggest producer of Kiwi. In 2020, the production from This country reached seventy-three thousand tons. Most Turkish kiwifruit orchards are in the Marmara region, especially around Yalova, and Black Sea region around Ordu and Rize province.
8. France
France is the next country on the Europe continent with the biggest producers of Kiwi. In 2020, the production of Kiwi from France reached forty-nine thousand tons. in this country, French kiwi production has decreased Over the past 5 years. Geographically, in this country, the region of Occitanie still the main area of Kiwi Production.
9. Portugal
Portugal is the ninth-biggest country for Kiwi Producers in 2020. Statistically, the production of Portugal is around forty-five thousand tons. Geographically, the kiwifruit production is in the regions of Entre-Douro e Minho and Beira Litoral. Genetically, the main cultivars are Hayward. Historically, the kiwi introduction happened in the 1970s and still become one of the main commodities in Portugal.
10. the United States of America
The United of America is the 10th world’s biggest Kiwi producer. In 2020, the production of Kiwi reached thirty-six thousand tons. In this country, Kiwifruit production in the United States is mostly concentrated in California because of its suitability for climate regions.
Bibliography of 10 World’s Biggest Kiwi Producers
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Kukuryiannis, V. and Vasilakakis, M. 1997. Kiwifruit Production and Research in Greece. Acta Hortic. 444, 43-48 DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.444.3. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1997.444.3
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