Kiwifruit market in Southern Europe, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Southern European kiwifruit market experienced fluctuations driven by production challenges and shifting demand. Initial support came from varietal innovation and the adoption of yellow-fleshed and mini-kiwi varieties in Spain and Portugal, which helped maintain output. However, in 2019, the spread of 'moria del kiwi' disease in Italy reduced production volumes, contributing to a market contraction. By 2020, despite ongoing phytosanitary issues, increased European consumer preference for sweeter gold varieties spurred a recovery in consumption.

The period from 2021 to 2023 saw more volatile movements. In 2021, Spain's consolidation as Europe's leading kiwifruit importer bolstered market volume through higher foreign purchases, supported by EU marketing standards for fresh fruit. A significant expansion of Spanish production in 2022, fueled by adaptation to the temperate Mediterranean climate and strong demand for local fresh produce, pushed the market to a peak of 691 тыс. т. This growth was abruptly reversed in 2023 when climatic and phytosanitary factors caused a supply drop of over 40% in the Iberian Peninsula, slashing the market volume to 467 тыс. т despite increased imports.

Production kiwifruit in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

Southern Europe produced 902.8 thousand tonnes of kiwifruit in 2020, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 10.6%, while the largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of kiwifruit production in Southern Europe reached 1,600 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 21.2% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 29.9%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 9.1%. The most notable decline was observed in 2019, with a decrease of 9.7%.

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

Exports kiwifruit from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, kiwifruit export volumes from Southern Europe totaled 456.5 thousand tonnes, representing a 5.3% decline from 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 441.3 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 482.2 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 9.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were significant buyers of kiwifruit from Southern Europe, accounting for 13.0%, 7.2%, and 5.0% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 25.1% of total exports, with the remaining 74.9% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Southern Europe's kiwifruit export value amounted to 809.1 million US dollars, showing an 11.9% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 13.9%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.6%.

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

The market base for kiwifruit exports in value terms from Southern Europe was broad during 2017–2020. Germany, France, and the United States accounted for 16.4%, 7.7%, and 5.3% of exports in value, respectively, but together they represented just 29.4% of total flows. The remaining 70.6% was shared by many other countries.

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

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

Imports kiwifruit to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe imported 163.2 thousand tonnes of kiwifruit in 2020, reflecting a significant reduction of 21.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 44.4%, equating to an average annual decline of 17.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, at 33.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 6.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, New Zealand, Belgium, and Chile were the key partners for kiwifruit imports in kind to Southern Europe, accounting for 24.1%, 22.6%, and 8.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 55.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, kiwifruit imports to Southern Europe increased in 2020, reaching a volume of 456.4 million US dollars, up by 29.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 16%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 352.1 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018, at 9.3%.

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

In 2017–2020, three principal markets—New Zealand, Belgium, and Chile—together accounted for 58.4% of total kiwifruit import value to Southern Europe.

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

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