Originally, the *Actinidia deliciosa*—better known as the kiwi—called China home. It was there that New Zealand breeders first spotted this fuzzy gem and started refining it. Fast forward to today, and this fruit has traveled from Asia to Europe and can now be found growing in almost every corner of the globe.
The Roots and Travels of the Kiwi
The kiwifruit actually got its start along the Yangtze River, the longest river in China. Even today, the rural regions of Changjiang and Sichuan remain the heart of Chinese kiwi production. Back in its homeland, the fruit is called “Yang Tao” (which translates to “macaque peach”), though most of the Western world originally knew it as the “Chinese gooseberry.”
So, how did it get its modern name? New Zealand breeders discovered the fruit while traveling through China and brought it back to their island nation. They eventually renamed it after the kiwi bird—their national symbol. Interestingly, this wasn’t just for branding; it was likely a clever way to dodge high Australian export taxes on berries. By calling it a “kiwifruit” instead of a “gooseberry,” they saved a fortune in customs fees!
Where Kiwis Grow Today
Over the years, New Zealand has become the heavyweight champion of kiwi exports. The “Bay of Plenty” on the North Island is the country’s biggest growing hub, and it’s a famous spot for backpackers and world travelers to find seasonal work picking fruit on the massive plantations.
After making a splash in New Zealand, the sweet fruit found its way to England and eventually spread across the globe. It turns out many European countries have the perfect climate for growing kiwis. In fact, Italy has become the top producer in Europe and the second-largest exporter in the entire world.
Beyond the big players, several other countries have made a name for themselves in the kiwi business:
- Iran (known for producing exceptionally high-quality fruit)
- Chile (a major supplier for supermarkets across the West)
- Spain
- Greece
- France
- Turkey (a newcomer to the scene, thanks to their ideal soil conditions[link/])
Where Do Our Supermarket Kiwis Come From?
In most grocery stores, you can find kiwis on the shelves all year round. A lot of people assume they’re all coming from China, but that’s actually a bit of a myth. Most of the kiwis we see in stores are shipped in from Italy, Chile, and New Zealand.
Lately, there’s been a push to source fruit closer to home to cut down on shipping distances and help the environment. Because of this, you might see more imports from France and Spain. However, since [link u=kiwi-ernte]harvest season there doesn’t kick off until September, these local options aren’t available year-round, which is why we still rely on our friends in the Southern Hemisphere to keep us stocked!
