Kiwifruit in China

The two commercially most important kiwifruit species worldwide are Actinidia chinensis and A. deliciosa. Both species are native to China: A. chinensis grows more in the lowlands in the more eastern provinces towards the coast, A. deliciosa in the western, inland, colder areas. Large quantities of kiwifruit are collected from wild vines although this resource is threatened because of the methods of harvesting. Commercial cultivation of kiwifruit in China started only 20 years ago and by 1998 there were c. 45 000 ha of kiwifruit orchards, 75% in cultivars of A. deliciosa, 25% in cultivars of A. chinensis. About one third of the total plantings are in Shaanxi province. Many different cultivars of A. chinensis and A. deliciosa have been selected but 12 of these, together with 'Hayward' from New Zealand, account for nearly 85% of the total area planted in kiwifruit in China. These cultivars are described. The A. deliciosa cultivar 'Qinmei' is the most widely planted, c. 40% of the total area. Average yields per hectare are still low and most plants are either young or have not even started cropping. In 1998 the total production of kiwifruit from China was 118 500 t, and in 1999 c. 165 000 t, two thirds of which came from Shaanxi province. Almost all the kiwifruit produced are sold within China and, to date, only small quantities are exported. Within a few years China will be producing much more kiwifruit from commercial orchards than any other country and this is likely to have a significant impact on international trade in kiwifruit.