The volume and quality forecasted for NERGI® kiwi berry this season is very promising
‘First harvesting of the NERGI® kiwi berry is scheduled for early August. The first releases on the shelves will follow a refining stage necessary to attain a fruit of good gustatory quality,’ says Jean- Pierre Caruel from the marketing department of SOFRUILEG, marketer of the NERGI® brand.
Volumes of NERGI® kiwi berries are soaring. The first orchards planted in France, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Ukraine are now in full production. Provided the weather conditions remain favourable right up until harvest, 10 million 125 g punnets are expected to hit European shelves this season. In the orchards, the quality currently observed bodes well for a successful 2023 season.
Growing kiwi berries is a specialist business
Each year, NERGI® kiwi berries growers improve their orchard expertise, drawing on the advice of field technicians and the use of innovative varieties. Harvesting is initiated once the quality criteria meet the brand’s specifications. Production control, preservation processes, fruit maturation, and logistics are all crucial steps toward offering consumers high-quality, affordable berries. In order to be commercialised, these fruits must meet all the specifications of the NERGI® brand, namely overall skin appearance, flavour and firmness.
NERGI® has grown into a strong and reliable reference in the world of berries in Europe’s large retail chains over the last few seasons
Consumption trends that started several seasons ago are positive. The main European countries where berries are consumed are showing greater demand for NERGI® small berries. This is particularly the case in Germany and Scandinavia, and to a lesser extent in France and Italy. Consumers of berries are showing a growing interest in healthy, sustainable products, and NERGI® fits perfectly into this trend, according to a quality study carried out by SOFRUILEG. ‘They are natural, nutritious snacks, rich in vitamins and fibre, making them the perfect choice for health- conscious consumers,’ says Jean-Pierre Caruel.
This year, NERGI® continues to benefit from a sustained communications programme to raise brand awareness via social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and from an extensive influencer presence in target markets. Marketing initiatives are organised directly in-store to bring the brand closer to consumers.
Sales are scheduled to start on August 20 and should run until the end of November.
Jean-Pierre Caruel reiterates that NERGI® is a registered trademark owned by SOFRUILEG. NERGI® mini kiwifruit are sold in by 3 Licensed Commercial Operators ORTOFRUIT ITALIA (Italy), PORTPRIMLAND (Portugal) and PRIMLAND (France).
