New Zealand-based fruit producer Zespri is planning to allocate an additional 1,800ha of land to increase production of its SunGold kiwi fruit in Europe over the next three years.

The company further explained that it initially will be allocating 1,200ha in Italy, and the remaining 600ha will be allocated at a later stage.

Zespri chief operating officer Simon Limmer said: "12-month supply is a key part of Zespris strategy and this investment aligns our offshore production with the strong increases in New Zealand SunGold volumes, set to double to around 90 million trays over the next five years."

Limmer further added that the growing demand for its kiwi fruit has encouraged the company to make this major investment and expand its supply base in Europe.

“Large-scale investments like this help us achieve that goal and meet the very strong consumer demand for this great-tasting, quality fruit."

Zespri global sales and marketing president Daniel Mathieson said: “Kiwi fruit makes up just 0.22% of globally traded fruit: our goal is to grow kiwi fruit consumption around the world.

“Large-scale investments like this help us achieve that goal and meet the very strong consumer demand for this great-tasting, quality fruit, which has brought real excitement to the global kiwi fruit category.

“Were pleased to see the growth in kiwi fruit volumes around the world, which underscores just how important it is for all kiwi fruit producers to supply good quality, tasty fruit to support this category growth.”

Zespri will initially allocate this land to its four Italian suppliers, namely Apofruit, Alegra, Intesa, Salvi Unacoa and Spreafico, who were originally contracted with Zespri in 2000 to produce the previous gold variety called Hort16A.