Kiwi fruit are small oval berries native to China that have become popular homegrown, and commercially, kiwi farming is done all around the world.
With their bright green or golden flesh, smooth skin, and interior seeds. Kiwifruit has a sweet yet tangy flavor profile that appeals to many consumers.
With the right care and growing conditions, kiwi vines can produce abundant fruit harvests for decades.
This guide will cover everything you need to know to start and successfully operate your own kiwifruit farming operation.
Getting Started in Kiwi Farming
When choosing a suitable property for kiwi farming, consider several factors.
The first thing is soil pH. Kiwifruit vines are best grown in areas with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0.
Kiwi vines are very susceptible to waterlogging. The soil should be well-draining to prevent root rot.
It’s also important to get at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal fruit production.
When deciding on kiwi varieties, climatic conditions will determine what performs best.
Hayward is the most grown variety. It has shown good adaptability to different regions.
In cooler climates, Bruno and Blake varieties may be preferable. They have earlier buds.
The Golden Kiwi is suited to intensive orchards in zones 9–10. It offers bright fruit color and has smaller vines.
New growers should research both organic and conventional kiwi farming methods. They should determine the best fit considering their labor, budget, and farm infrastructure.
Organic production avoids synthetic chemicals but has stricter certification requirements.
Conventional orchards may use fertilizers and pesticides. They may also use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to increase yields.
Planting Kiwi Vines for Hardy Kiwi
When first establishing kiwi vines, proper planting techniques are crucial for best growth and fruiting down the line.
Vines should be planted between mid-fall and early spring, when they are dormant. The planting hole needs to be wide and deep enough to accommodate the vine roots without crowding.
Holes are dug 1-1.5m wide and deep.
For the first few years, vines need a sturdy support structure to climb.
Popular options include overhead pergola trellises, T-bar posts, or wire fences.
Trellises provide 6–10 feet of clearance between the bottom wire and ground. When positioning vines, space them 3–4 m apart within rows and 5–6 m between rows, considering the variety’s expected canopy size at maturity.
Once planted, the soil around vines should be firmed to cut air pockets.
A 50/50 mix of compost and native soil works well as backfill around the roots.
It’s important to water the vines after planting. Apply a 3–4-inch-deep wood chip mulch ring to keep soil moist as roots establish.
We can use drip irrigation or sprinkler irrigation to water the trees.
Caring for Kiwi Vines to Grow Kiwi
Young kiwi vines have low water needs, but as they mature and fruit production increases, careful irrigation is needed.
During hot spells, providing 1-2 inches of water per week helps vines thrive.
Drip lines or soaker hoses placed under mulch reduce evaporation and target roots.
Pruning is essential for productive, manageable vines. In winter, cut last season’s mature canes back to the trunk or new shoots.
This reinvigorates annual-bearing wood. During the summer, prune off unwanted suckers growing from the base and tie in new growth to trellis wires for support.
Common vine pests include kiwi fruit fly larvae tunneling into ripening fruit and kiwi vine beetle adults feeding on young leaves.
Monitoring for signs of damage and applying approved organic or conventional remedies at first sightings helps control infestations.
Cultural techniques like cover cropping and habitat enhancements also encourage natural predatory insects and mites that prey on pests.
Diseases such as Pseudomonas syringae bacterial canker and botrytis gray mold fungus occur in humid conditions.
Proper pruning, ventilation, weed control, and applying bio-fungicides or copper sprays (an organic option) during flowering prevent these fungi from spreading.
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Operating a Commercial Kiwi Fruit Farm
Requirements for Organic Certification
Farms seeking the organic designation must undergo annual inspections and abide by strict standards set by regulatory bodies like the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).
Transitional crops have a 3-year establishment period where only organic practices can be used before certification.
Comprehensive record-keeping of all inputs and activities is mandatory.
Some key requirements include using only approved organic fertilizers and pest controls rather than synthetic chemicals, preserving biodiversity habitats, and preventing commingling or contact between organic and non-organic production systems and fields.
Farmers must also implement soil-building practices like composting, cover cropping, and crop rotations.
Equipment Needs and Costs
While some kiwi farming tasks can be done by hand, small tractors and implements make large-scale operations more efficient. Common needs may include:
- Utility vehicle (UTV) for traveling rows $10-15k
- Small tractor for tillage, spraying $30–50k
- Cultivation equipment like rototillers and harrows $5-10k
- Sprayers: consider power or manual models $500-5k
- Loppers, pruners, and saws: $100–300 each
- Packing and processing gear: $5k and up
- Cooling and storage units for postharvest $15k+
Note: Initial infrastructure like irrigation lines and trellising also requires substantial investment. Carefully researching used options and leasing can lower startup capital needs.
Labor Needs and Hiring Strategies
Kiwifruit farming is labor-intensive year-round, especially during key pruning, harvesting, packing, and postharvest seasons.
A 50-acre mature organic orchard may require four full-time workers plus seasonal employees.
Most farmers hire fieldhands directly and pay an hourly wage. Follow all applicable labor laws.
Consider work visas for reliable immigrant labor. Building housing can attract employees.
To source workers, place local job ads, ask former employees to refer others, and utilize regional farm employment services.
Screen applicants, perform background and reference checks, and provide training on the safe operation of equipment.
Sustainable Kiwi Farming Practices
Reducing Soil and Water Pollution Risks
Runoff from fertilizers and pesticides can contaminate waterways if not managed. Farmers implement several strategies:
- Grassy filter strips and riparian zones around fields uptake nutrients from surface water flow.
- Irrigation tailwater return systems collect and reuse runoff rather than releasing it.
- Composting fertilizes soils while sequestering carbon emissions.
- Soil testing determines precise needs to minimize over-application.
Beneficial Insect Habitats and Predators
Natural predators and parasitoids keep pest populations in check. Farmers encourage them by:
- Planting hedgerows and native flowering shrubs that provide nectar and shelter.
- Leaving dead snags or piles of wood as overwintering sites.
- Avoiding broad-spectrum pesticide use that harms or benefits.
- Using biodiversity shelters like bird and bat boxes.
Integrated Pest Management Methods
When pests exceed thresholds, IPM combines strategies:
- Inspection and monitoring for early detection.
- Cultural techniques like cover cropping and resistant varieties.
- Physical barriers like netting block entry points.
- Biological controls such as releases of predatory mites or insects.
- Reserve chemical controls only when other efforts prove insufficient.
Cover Crops and Plant Biodiversity
Interspersed cover crops supply nutrients, prevent leaching, improve tilth, and attract natural enemies. Herbaceous legumes like crimson clover fix nitrogen. Grasses like rye scavenge leftover nitrogen.
Agroforestry practices interplant nut and fruit trees amidst kiwis. This creates microclimate diversity. It benefits both crops and local wildlife populations.
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Kiwi Farming Resources
Helpful Associations, Guides and Books
Farmers new to kiwifruit growing can learn from others in the industry. Valuable resources include:
- New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc
- California Kiwi Growers Association
- Growing Kiwifruit in Nova Scotia Guide (Perennia)
- Kiwifruit Production and Processing by Samir de Belie
- Kiwifruit Gardener by John Seymour
Upcoming Industry Seminars and Events
Seminars from the state agriculture extension offer educational sessions:
- Pruning clinics with demonstration orchard tours.
- Pest and disease updates from university researchers.
- Harvest and postharvest best practices workshops.
- Marketing your kiwis to wholesale buyers.
Also check for trade association conventions discussing:
- New variety trials and genome research updates.
- Organic system management roundtables.
- Export market trends and opportunities.
Suppliers for Vines, Tools and Equipment
Reliable vendor partners help stock the kiwi farm.
- Nurseries specializing in certified virus-free vines.
- Irrigation suppliers for drip tape, tubing, and emitters.
- Packing sheds are outfitted for washing and packing lines.
- Commercial coolers and ripening rooms.
- Organic inputs producers for fertilizers cover.
- Equipment dealers carry tractors, implements, and UTVs.
FAQs
How much land is needed for a commercial Kiwi orchard?
A minimum of 2–5 acres is usually required to successfully start a kiwi farming venture. Most commercial orchards range from 10 to 50 acres to achieve adequate economies of scale.
What are the startup costs for a new Kiwi farm?
Initial expenses for site preparation, young vines, trellising, and irrigation systems range from $10,000–30,000 per acre, depending on scale, varietals, and equipment chosen. The first harvest returns are 3-5 years out.
Do kiwi vines require full sun or partial shade?
Kiwi vines grow best with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily for optimal fruit production. Some afternoon shade is okay in hot climates to prevent fruit sunburn. Avoid very shaded sites.
How long do kiwi vines live and produce fruit?
With proper care, kiwi vines can remain productive for 30–50 years. The first 3–5 years are an establishment period with minimal yields as vines expand. Peak production is reached around years 7–10 if organic matters and pruning are managed well.
When is the best time to start pruning kiwi vines?
In warmer climates, pruning begins in late winter as vines emerge from dormancy. In colder zones, wait until buds have swelled in late spring. Consistent winter pruning maintains annual fruiting canes.
Conclusion
Kiwi farming presents both challenges and rewards for committed growers. Thorough preparation, continuous education, timely maintenance, and long-term planning are keys to success over several decades of operation.
Farmers who implement the best organic and conventional growing methods often see steadily increasing yields and the satisfaction of bringing a healthy product to appreciative consumers every season.Â
With markets expanding globally each year for this nutrient-dense superfruit, starting a kiwi orchard can establish a legacy for generations to come.