Articles
Kiwifruit research and production in Iran
Article number
1431_7
Pages
53 – 60
Language
English
Abstract
Kiwifruit (Actinidia spp.) is one of the main export crops from Iran.
It is cultivated in the favorable climate around the Caspian Sea.
Iran produced ~442,000 metric t of kiwifruit from 14,836 ha in 2021, making it the world’s fourth largest producer.
Of this production, 210,000 metric t were exported to more than 30 countries.
The most common cultivar grown is A. chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’, although recently red-fleshed kiwifruit orchards have been established and current interest lies in commercialising a new yellow-fleshed cultivar.
Kiwifruit orchards are progressively increasing in both numbers and size.
The Iranian kiwifruit industry is becoming increasingly technical, with new production and handling knowledge and industry extension coming largely from the University of Guilan and the Citrus & Subtropical Fruits Research Center.
Graduate students’ theses now tend to address practical aspects of kiwifruit production and handling.
The average yield has increased from 30 to 40 t ha‑1 through changes to plant spacing, canopy management, fertilisation and plant growth regulator use.
The potential demand for Iranian kiwifruit is large, with a large domestic market and proximity to major export markets, including Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East, all accessible by land.
There is an opportunity to increase the revenue from exported fruit through an increased focus on new cultivars, fruit quality and supplying higher paying markets.
These production and marketing opportunities are currently helped by government policies to assist economic diversification.
However, to maintain the current momentum and fully commercialise the increasing production, the industry needs to focus on producing fruit for export and to develop further the technical systems required to provide customers with high quality fruit.
It is cultivated in the favorable climate around the Caspian Sea.
Iran produced ~442,000 metric t of kiwifruit from 14,836 ha in 2021, making it the world’s fourth largest producer.
Of this production, 210,000 metric t were exported to more than 30 countries.
The most common cultivar grown is A. chinensis var. deliciosa ‘Hayward’, although recently red-fleshed kiwifruit orchards have been established and current interest lies in commercialising a new yellow-fleshed cultivar.
Kiwifruit orchards are progressively increasing in both numbers and size.
The Iranian kiwifruit industry is becoming increasingly technical, with new production and handling knowledge and industry extension coming largely from the University of Guilan and the Citrus & Subtropical Fruits Research Center.
Graduate students’ theses now tend to address practical aspects of kiwifruit production and handling.
The average yield has increased from 30 to 40 t ha‑1 through changes to plant spacing, canopy management, fertilisation and plant growth regulator use.
The potential demand for Iranian kiwifruit is large, with a large domestic market and proximity to major export markets, including Russia, Central Asia and the Middle East, all accessible by land.
There is an opportunity to increase the revenue from exported fruit through an increased focus on new cultivars, fruit quality and supplying higher paying markets.
These production and marketing opportunities are currently helped by government policies to assist economic diversification.
However, to maintain the current momentum and fully commercialise the increasing production, the industry needs to focus on producing fruit for export and to develop further the technical systems required to provide customers with high quality fruit.
Publication
Authors
M. Ghasemnezhad, J. Burdon
Keywords
Actinidia, industry, yield, management, cultivars, exports
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