Few Britons know kiwifruit

Press, 6 July 1983, Page 22

Few Britons know kiwifruit

NZPA staff correspondent London Britons know less about kiwifruit than people in other countries, according to a survey. Only 16 per cent of those surveyed in Britain had ever eaten kiwifruit, compared with 53 per cent in Germany and the Netherlands, 37 per cent in Canada, and 32 per cent in France.

Only 47 per cent of those Britons asked knew about kiwifruit, about 79 per cent in Germany and the Netherlands, 84 per cent in Belgium, 62 per cent in Canada, and 59 per cent in France.

These figures were given by Mr John Morrish, head of the Kiwifruit Information Bureau in London.

“There is still enormous potential for growth in sales of New Zealand kiwifruit in the United Kingdom,” he told guests at the launching of the New Zealand kiwifruit season.

The first 23,000 trays, which arrived on June 2, were sold within a fortnight.

Sales in Britain have risen from 18,000 trays five years ago to 186,000 in 1981. Last year there were only 99,000 trays available after bad weather in New Zea-

land and the price was pushed up to 30p (69c) each.

This year the British market has been promised nearly a quarter of a million trays out of total exports of about 10 million, Mr Morrish said.

The price here is now 20p to 25p (46c to 57c) each.

“Already several of the major retail groups are actively promoting New Zealand kiwifruit and this is particularly encouraging because previously many have felt it necessary to wait until the main soft-fruit season for strawberries and raspberries, for instance, is out of the way,” Mr Morrish said.

Although kiwifruit was now being grown in other countries, including the United States, France, Italy and Zimbabwe, this competition was not feared ;by New Zealand.

“Rather we welcome it because it is virtually all available when the New Zealand season is over,” Mr Morrish said. “These other suppliers are able to meet a demand when there is little or no New Zealand fruit left, and thus kiwifruit is available the whole year round which must be good for the trade and consumers alike.”