When is Kiwi season?
New Zealand is a great place to grow Kiwi. But you will find Kiwi harvested in many places: California, Italy, China, and elsewhere.
Because of that, the Kiwi harvest season depends on the growing location; in California, the Kiwi season starts from September to November.
In North America, Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit grown by Zespri agricultural partners in New Zealand are harvested from May to November.
In the following years, the Kiwi season is sustained thanks to Zespri's cooperation with Zespri agricultural partners in Italy.
"Kiwi from Italy helps Zespri extend the season past November, moving closer to the goal of ensuring a year-round Kiwi supply. New Zealand's Kiwi season begins in May and lasts through November. Now Zespri can provide consumers with Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit in the winter." - Ben Hughes, Zespri's Americas Regional Manager.
And now you can enjoy Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit even longer!
When is the Kiwi growing season in New Zealand?
When it comes to New Zealand, the concepts of 'winter' and 'summer' here are different from what you might think, because when the Northern Hemisphere is having summer, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Kiwi growing season in New Zealand begins when agricultural partners prune the trees during the winter months - from June to August.
Kiwi trees begin to grow again in the spring, from September to November. In North America, this is autumn, which is when Kiwi flowers are pollinated by bees, and shortly after these flowers develop into fruit.
Kiwifruit grows fast during New Zealand's summer months, from December to February. That is when agricultural partners estimate the scale of the crop. Agricultural partners can prune the Kiwi trees to maximize harvest time.
New Zealand's weather starts to cool down from March to May - that is the signal of the harvest season. Kiwi is carefully picked, inspected, packaged, and shipped. Kiwi leaves begin to shed - that is the end of the season.
How to know which fruit is in season?
This is a frequently asked question. Many people want to know when certain fruits and vegetables are in harvest season.
People often think that out-of-season fruit is usually not fresh and nutritious.
That is not always the case!
Zespri Kiwi always ensures outstanding flavor and freshness. Therefore, no matter where the Kiwi is grown - or when you buy it - look at the Zespri label, and you will know that the Kiwi you choose always maintains its quality and fresh flavor.
All Zespri Kiwi agricultural partners adhere to the strictest regulations in the Zespri standards system, no matter where they are in the world.
Small, But Nutrient-Packed
With over 20 vitamins and minerals, Zespri™ Kiwi is one of the most nutritious fruits with a high and complete nutritional content compared to regular fruit. * Based on US daily values and calculations at Darmon, according to nutrient density standards for vegetables and fruits. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005; 105:1881-87
