Kiwi berries are ideal snacks, but according to our food retail (LEH) representatives, whom we interviewed for the special feature on kiwi, they still present limitations in terms of seasonality, shelf life, and consumer awareness.
The small fruits of Actinidia arguta, closely related to the “classic” kiwi, are mainly known as kiwi berries or mini kiwis. Sometimes they are also called grape kiwi, kokuwa, kiwai, or small-fruited kiwi, while the scientific name “scharfzähniger Strahlengriffel” is rarely used.
Kiwi berries as a snack alternative
“Kiwi berries have good chances of establishing themselves as a snack alternative,” says Turgut Akkaya, market manager at Rewe Center, in our LEH survey featured in the kiwi special. “They particularly appeal to health-conscious consumers,” he adds. The challenges, in his view, are the short shelf life, high price, and low awareness.
For Marie Specht, director of the E-Center Specht, kiwi berries are “an extraordinary seasonal product with great potential. Perfect for summer, ideal for a quick snack or refreshing fruit salads, without the need to peel them.” However, for her too, the main challenge remains the short season: “This year the availability of kiwi berries has been a huge issue.”
Consumer awareness
There is still room for improvement in terms of recognition: “Many customers do not know kiwi berries, so tastings and information activities are essential to consolidate the category.”
Sascha Fleischer of Edeka Mühlenkamp confirms the snack advantage: “They are a wonderful option to curb hunger, they don’t need peeling, and they are perfect for children. The benefits are obvious.” But drawbacks are also there: “They are expensive, delicate, and have a very short season.” He recommends tastings and smaller packs to boost their spread.
Media and promotion
Nicole Bauer, from Hieber’s Frische Center, describes them as “an outstanding product, perfect as a snack or in yogurt and cereals: simply fantastic.” In her opinion, the media should focus even more on these green fruits, which “would deserve greater attention.”
In her store, kiwi berries are already a classic: “We always offer them as soon as they are in season,” she concludes.
Text and image source: fruitnet.com
