Kiwifruit market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the Asian kiwifruit market volume increased from 2 761 thousand tons to 2 848 thousand tons, while its value rose from USD 3 963 million to USD 4 075 million. This growth was supported by a significant rise in production and consumption in China, where modern agricultural techniques and the introduction of new varieties, such as those launched by the Shaanxi Bairui Kiwi Research Institute, improved yield and quality. Simultaneously, a shift in consumer preferences toward healthy and natural products boosted demand for kiwifruit as a superfood.

In 2020, market volume slightly declined to 2 806 thousand tons, and value dropped to USD 3 939 million, reflecting stabilization. During the following period from 2021 to 2023, volume remained relatively stable in the range of 2 800–2 830 thousand tons, but value showed fluctuations. In 2021, value jumped sharply to USD 4 311 million, driven by the expansion of the international player Zespri into 100 Chinese cities and growing demand for premium varieties, including green, gold, and emerging red cultivars. This led to market premiumization, where value increased without a substantial rise in physical volume.

By 2022–2023, market volume edged down to 2 798 thousand tons, but value recovered to USD 4 169 million after a dip in 2022. Factors such as the continuous rollout of new varieties in China and global trade liberalization, including tariff elimination between New Zealand and the EU, influenced market dynamics by improving product access and spurring innovation. Additionally, strategic partnerships like Zespri's collaboration with Amazon Fresh expanded distribution channels, supporting market activity through 2024.

Production kiwifruit in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

Kiwifruit production in Asia saw a decline in 2020, following two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2 607 K t, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 2 561 K t, representing a 1.8% decrease compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of kiwifruit production in Asia dropped to 2 817 M $ US in 2020, an 8.2% decline from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 5.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with an 8.7% drop, while 2019 saw a modest increase of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports kiwifruit from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, kiwifruit exports from Asia declined in 2020. In 2019, export volume peaked at 145.2 K t, but by 2020, it had fallen to 122.9 K t, a substantial 15.4% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 44.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.1%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, at 40.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Russia and Ukraine were the primary destinations for kiwifruit exports from Asia in volume terms, together accounting for 36.8% of total shipments.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Kiwifruit export value from Asia declined in 2020, following two years of improvement. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 171 M $ US, but by 2020, they had dropped to 135 M $ US, a significant 20.9% reduction. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 28.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Russia and Ukraine led as the top buyers of kiwifruit from Asia in value terms, jointly representing 32.9% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports kiwifruit to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, kiwifruit imports into Asia declined in 2020. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 386.7 K t, with a 7.0% increase from the previous year. By 2020, imports had fallen to 368.1 K t, a moderate 4.8% decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, Chile, and Italy formed the core group of suppliers for kiwifruit imports into Asia in volume terms. New Zealand accounted for 63.4% of imports, Chile for 10.9%, and Italy for 6.5%, together representing 80.9% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's kiwifruit import value increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 257 M $ US, up 6.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 33.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, New Zealand dominated kiwifruit imports into Asia in value terms, accounting for 81.7% of total import value, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020