KZN’S pioneering kiwi farmer
FARMING GOLDEN KIWI FRUIT IS CAPITAL-INTENSIVE AS INPUT COSTS HIT R500 000 A HECTARE AT START-UP,WHICH SHOULD COVER THE FIRST FOURYEARS, WRITES
SHIRLEY LE GUERN
that they also get the highest prices for their produce, and get first choice when it comes to expanding their kiwi fruit production.
Growing golden kiwi fruit is highly regulated, with licences issued and agreements signed by farmers. There is also a cap on how much can be grown by each farmer, and how much can be collectively grown in any one country. Those who have signed up first get the first opportunity to take up additional hectares.
At present, only half of the South African cap has been met, and more growers are needed to both increase output and grow the local market, he explains.
South Africa’s golden kiwi fruit farmers are located in KZN, the Cape, Tzaneen and the Lowveld around Nelspruit and White River. The harvest is split, with those up north harvesting in early February, followed by the Lowveld growers towards the end of February. Farmers in KZN will then harvest in mid- to end-march, with the Capetonians ending off towards the end of March and into early April.
Because kiwi fruit can be stored for three to four months, this will ensure continuity of supply and ensure that they are not flooding the market.
In order to grow the number of farmers in South Africa, he says they began setting up the Southern African Kiwi Growers Association about a year ago. This represents the best interests of kiwi fruit farmers and acts as a forum for members to pool ideas, share knowledge and best practices. It is also working closely with retailers to educate local consumers about golden kiwi fruit in order to grow the market.
The majority of Lowe’s first harvest of golden kiwi fruit was sold locally. This coming year, he intends exporting 80% of the crop and selling 20% to local suppliers. His ultimately target is to export 85% and sell just 15% to South Africans.
He believes this is realistic given that, for the time being, South Africans are not big consumers of kiwi fruit.
“But we can supply kiwi fruit a lot cheaper than farmers in New Zealand, where production costs are a lot higher.
Kiwi fruit production has the potential to be a big industry in South Africa, and a new employer. This is an untapped market. There’s only room for growth. That’s why we did it,” he concludes.