Zespri’s Green146 Kiwifruit Set for Potential 2027 Launch

According to a recent news report by Más Producción, Zespri is testing a new kiwifruit variety, Green146, as a potential alternative to the established Hayward variety, with the aim of raising the bar for green kiwifruit in terms of yield, quality and consumer experience.

According to information previously released by Zespri, its pre-commercial green kiwifruit variety program is currently the company’s largest trial program, with trials covering 20 hectares across eastern and western Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Waikato and Northland.

Green146 is the most promising new variety in the program. It was grafted onto trial vines in 2022, with trials continuing through 2026. Green146 has an average yield approximately 50% higher than Hayward, produces larger fruit and is harvested around two to three weeks later.

The trial results also revealed significant differences in yield across growing regions. In warmer areas, Green146 delivered higher and more consistent yields. Its commercial yield in the Bay of Plenty was 35% higher than that of Hayward, while in Northland, its yield was twice that of Hayward. Green146 is also Zespri’s first pre-commercial variety to be monoecious, meaning that it can effectively self-pollinate.

In 2026, the production of Green146 is expected to reach approximately 54,000 cartons, equivalent to around 189 metric tons. The first batch of about 49,000 cartons has already begun arriving in the market for supply chain and sales testing. Based on the test results, Zespri may assess in December whether to approve commercial production for 2027 or continue trials for another season.

New Zealand currently has approximately 6,000 hectares planted with Hayward kiwifruit, and Hayward is expected to remain Zespri’s main green kiwifruit variety for the next few years.

Carlos Cruzat, president of the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee, said that the significance of Green146 goes far beyond the introduction of a new variety. As a highly promising cultivar, it could signal a shift in the competitive landscape of the global green kiwifruit market, presenting a major challenge for other kiwifruit-producing and exporting countries.

Image: Pixabay

This article was translated from Chinese. Read the original article.