Zespri forecasts 16% rise in Northern Hemisphere SunGold supply

Northern crop reaches 99,000 tonnes

Zespri expects its 2026 Northern Hemisphere production of SunGold kiwifruit to total about 28 million trays, equivalent to 99,000 tonnes, according to Italiafruit.net. The forecast represents a 16% increase from the previous year and marks another expansion of the company's programme outside New Zealand.

The harvest is beginning as the New Zealand season approaches its end. Zespri combines output from the two hemispheres in a coordinated supply programme intended to keep its branded kiwifruit available throughout the year. For customers, the overlap is designed to support continuous retail and distribution programmes rather than leave a prolonged seasonal gap between crops.

Nick Kirton, Zespri's Executive Officer Northern Hemisphere, said the northern programme works closely with New Zealand production to maintain availability, quality standards and customer supply. A geographically distributed production base also gives the company more flexibility as demand changes across its markets.

Italy supplies most of the growth

Italy remains Zespri's largest producing country in the Northern Hemisphere. Its 2026 SunGold crop is estimated at about 24 million trays, or 85,000 tonnes, an increase of 18% compared with 2025. Italiafruit.net attributed the expansion to a larger area entering production and improved orchard productivity.

On the current forecasts, Italy will account for roughly six out of every seven tonnes of Northern Hemisphere SunGold. That concentration makes the performance of Italian orchards particularly important to Zespri's ability to bridge the end of New Zealand supply and the next southern campaign.

France is expected to produce about 1.7 million trays, or 6,000 tonnes, broadly in line with the previous year despite climatic challenges during the season. Zespri also forecasts approximately 8 million trays, or 28,000 tonnes, of Green kiwifruit from its Northern Hemisphere programme, maintaining a second major category alongside the expanding SunGold crop.

Heat affects fruit size, not overall volumes

Growing conditions varied between producing regions. Italy experienced exceptionally high summer temperatures, while France faced some localized weather events. Matteo Lorenti, Zespri's Head of Europe Supply Chain, said the heat affected fruit size in some production areas. Average fruit size is consequently expected to be smaller than in the previous season, although total volumes and overall quality are forecast to remain good.

The harvest is already under way. Zespri plans to begin packing, sales to European customers and shipments to export markets from week 43. The crop will supply Germany, Spain, the Benelux countries, France, Italy and Switzerland, as well as selected opportunities in the United Kingdom, North America and Asia.

Longer availability raises competitive pressure

North America is currently the principal export market for Zespri's Northern Hemisphere crop, and the company reports strong demand there. The larger Italian harvest gives Zespri more product with which to serve that market while maintaining programmes in continental Europe.

The 16% rise also has implications for competing kiwifruit suppliers. More SunGold fruit during the transition from New Zealand to Northern Hemisphere production should extend branded availability and strengthen continuity for retailers. At the same time, smaller average sizes in parts of the crop may affect pack configurations and the allocation of fruit among customers and markets. For growers and distributors, the commercial outcome will depend on how effectively the additional 99,000-tonne SunGold supply is matched with demand across Europe, North America and Asia.