Kikokà Europe has begun its 2026 harvest, with gross yellow kiwi production expected to exceed 10,000 tonnes, compared with approximately 4,400 tonnes last season. Official sales are scheduled to begin in mid-October, under the coordination of newly appointed Commercial Director Alberto Raviolo.
The increase in volumes marks a new stage for the consortium, which is strengthening its structure across the entire chain, from production and quality management to commercial operations.
Europe remains the main market
Raviolo, a 40-year-old executive from Piedmont with a degree in Business Economics, has developed his professional career within the Rivoira Group, Master Licensee of the Kikokà project. He will continue to play an operational role within the group, particularly in the management of Hayward kiwi and summer fruit, including cherries.
His appointment comes as Kikokà enters its third year of commercialisation and faces significantly higher volumes. The consortium continues to see Europe as its main target market, where yellow kiwi still has considerable room for growth.
The early part of the campaign will bring increased competition from Southern Hemisphere fruit, but Kikokà expects the work carried out in the field by growers, supported by its agronomic team, together with growing brand recognition, to support market development.
Italy, Germany and the Nordic countries remain key European markets, with particular attention being paid to expanding the brand’s presence in Italian modern retail.
New opportunities overseas
Kikokà is also looking beyond Europe. The consortium plans to carry out new commercial trials in America, the Middle East and Asia, opening additional opportunities as production volumes increase.
The yellow kiwi is currently grown in Italy, Greece, France and Spain, while Kikokà directly coordinates five packing facilities. Italy has two facilities for conventional production and one for organic fruit, while Greece has two facilities dedicated to conventional production. In France, a further packing facility serves the domestic market.
The commercial focus remains on the second half of the season, particularly February, March and April. However, increased production volumes are also creating opportunities to extend the commercial window and explore possibilities during the first part of the season.
Kikokà strengthens its organisation
The appointment of Raviolo forms part of a wider reinforcement of the consortium’s structure. A dedicated commercial back office has been established at the Bologna offices, while the administration department and the technical and quality team have also been strengthened with new staff.
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Quality management is another priority as volumes increase. Kikokà is working to organise growers more efficiently and monitor individual lots, while a management matrix has been developed to link the intrinsic quality of the fruit with its storage potential.
This approach is intended to allow the consortium to manage the fruit more precisely throughout the commercial season and match product characteristics with the appropriate market opportunities.
Kikokà has also appointed a tax representative in Greece, allowing it to operate directly in the Greek market and in exports. At the same time, the consortium has begun the process of obtaining IFS Broker certification as its commercial and operational processes become increasingly structured.
