Jiapei introduces a new red-fleshed kiwifruit variety, with mass production expected to begin in 2028.

Recently, the board of directors of Zespri approved the commercialization of another red-fleshed kiwifruit variety, Red80, to extend the sales period of Zespri RubyRed™. This year, sales of RubyRed kiwifruit doubled, with over 300 boxes sold in key markets including New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, South Korea, and the United States. Mainland China alone accounted for 1.1 million boxes, representing 40% of global total sales, firmly holding the title of the largest single market. It is reported that the natural storage period of red-fleshed kiwifruit is typically shorter than that of green and gold-fleshed kiwifruit. Currently, Zespri has only about an 8-week limited sales window period. Using the same maturity standard as Red19, Red80 is best harvested about 3-4 weeks after Red19, but with larger average size, higher firmness, and longer storage period. Trials have shown that the Red80 variety performs very well in cultivation, transportation, and market performance. Both varieties will be sold under the Zespri RubyRed brand, and together they will allow the brand to remain in front of consumers for a longer period, thereby enhancing brand recognition, encouraging habitual purchases, and boosting demand. The Red19 variety was commercialized in 2019, and RubyRed kiwifruit was first commercially launched in 2022, gradually expanding into new markets and currently entering 13 global markets. Research by Zespri shows that about 30% of consumers purchasing Zespri RubyRed are new consumers, indicating that RubyRed kiwifruit is attracting more people to try this category and creating additional opportunities for Zespri's other products. The Red80 variety was naturally cultivated through a joint breeding program between Zespri and the New Zealand Plant & Food Research (now part of the Bio-Protection Research Centre). In 2021, Zespri and the Bio-Protection Research Centre jointly established the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre (KBC) to accelerate the delivery of new varieties. Currently, Zespri has 20 varieties of kiwifruit, kiwiberry (soft kiwifruit), etc., in the pre-commercial trial stage. Mr. Te Brake, CEO of Zespri, said that from April 2026, Red80 planting licenses will be opened to growers, including a variety conversion bidding pool for existing Red19 growers (50 hectares). The new variety is expected to reach commercial production scale by 2028. Image source: Zespri 2025 International Fruit & Vegetable Report. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce, please contact the International Fruit & Vegetable Report and credit the source as the International Fruit & Vegetable Report.