Total volumes of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit are expected to grow by 22.3% in 2025 compared to last year, driven by expanded cultivation areas (+11.2%) and favorable weather conditions. In addition, acquisitions of Zespri Green kiwifruit are forecast to reach 7 million trays this season, reflecting a stable yet positive trend with a 6% increase compared to the 2024 campaign.
Italy remains the cornerstone of Zespri’s Northern Hemisphere production, with an expected 24.8% increase in both conventional and organic Zespri SunGold kiwifruit production for the 2025 campaign. The country continues to consolidate its position as the hemisphere’s leading production hub, ranking first in both cultivated area and production volume.
France maintains substantial stability, with a forecast of 1.87 million tray equivalents (TE), a figure similar to that recorded in 2024. This trend highlights the resilience of the French sector and its ability to meet a steady domestic demand for high-quality produce.
Greece also comes into focus as it officially begins production of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit, with the allocation of the first 70 hectares. This milestone not only expands production capacity but also strengthens the Northern Hemisphere’s mission to deliver growing volumes without compromising quality.
Nick Kirton, Zespri’s Executive Officer Northern Hemisphere Supply, stated:
“The results of the 2025 campaign demonstrate the strength of our global supply model and the increasingly central role of the Northern Hemisphere in ensuring the availability of Zespri kiwifruit all year round. Each season, we work closely with our supply chain partners to improve productivity while maintaining the highest quality standards that define our brand, and we are eager for the harvest to begin.”
“Looking ahead, we have ambitious growth objectives for the Northern Hemisphere. This includes the allocation of new hectares and the continued development of our varietal portfolio – including the recent approval for the commercialization of Zespri Red in the Northern Hemisphere – which are strategic levers to strengthen our ability to meet the growing global demand for premium kiwifruit.”
RELATED NEWS: Zespri closes a record-breaking year
Since January this year, work has been underway to expand an additional 420 hectares of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit across the Northern Hemisphere starting in 2025, with 300 hectares allocated to Italy, 70 to Greece, and 40 to France. The remaining hectares will be developed in South Korea. This development represents a key step in Zespri’s long-term growth strategy, further strengthening its commitment to continuous expansion and consolidating its strong production base in Europe.
With these forecasts, Zespri is preparing to showcase its growth strategies at Fruit Attraction 2025, reinforcing collaboration with supply chain partners and highlighting the growing global demand for premium fruit.
