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Why is California Great for growing Kiwi Fruit?
Kiwifruit, in particular golden kiwifruit, thrive in a temperate climate with these key characteristics-
California currently produces 98% of the kiwifruit grown in the US.
It also has a unique harvest timeline which means that kiwifruit is available to sell when other fruits aren't.
Kiwifruit are produced by a large, deciduous vine botanically known as Actinidia deliciosa. Individual plants bear either male or female flowers, so both types of plants are planted in a vineyard at a ratio of 8 females to 1 male to ensure adequate cross-pollination and fruit set. Bees are necessary for pollination; wind pollination is unsatisfactory because it does not produce large fruit. Worldwide, Hayward is the preferred variety because of its large fruit. Male varieties are many with the California of Chico male the most common in California. Matua is another widely used male in California and New Zealand.
Kiwi vines grow best when summer nights are cool and days are warm, Campbell said. He also notes that kiwis thrive in a consistently cool winter.
California produces around 98% of the kiwifruit grown in the US. Kiwifruit has remained a relatively small agricultural industry in California made up of less than 300 growers who farm around 13 acres each.
Due to California kiwifruit's fall harvest, fresh kiwifruit is available during the winter months, an uncommon time for the "homegrown" California fresh fruits.
October to May
Not only does California Kiwifruit look and taste like no other fruit, it's also available when most other fresh fruits aren't. Get familiar with the harvest timeline here, so you'll know when to expect this delightfully different fruit to arrive in your store!
There are over 40 known kiwifruit varieties in production around the world, but in California we grow the Hayward — the most popular variety, known for their large size and high sugar content.
In California, harvest begins in late September, with most of the fruit being harvested in October and early November. So you can be assured of having plenty of fresh, sweet California Kiwifruit available for the winter and spring months!