Chinese to boost supply Chinese production of kiwifruit can be expected to have a major impact on world markets in the years ahead, according to the latest report published by consultants Birose. World kiwifruit production has doubled in the last 10 years, and more than one million tonnes a year are marketed. Just under half of this is supplied to the European market from either major EU suppliers such as Italy, France and Greece, or through summer imports mainly from New Zealand and Chile. The report is optimistic because consumers no longer regard kiwis as high priced exotics and have an awareness they have high levels of Vitamin C. The introduction of new, sweeter varieties such as the New Zealand Zespri Gold has also helped. In the shorter term it believes European producers will enjoy a good season because New Zealand crops finished a month early. {{FRESH PRODUCE }}