Current status of China’s kiwifruit industry and development recommendations for the“15th Five-Year Plan”

Abstract: Kiwifruit, native to China, has transformed from a regional crop to a prominent global industry, with its first significant commercial development in New Zealand. Over the past century, the international kiwifruit market has undergone considerable transitions. However, China has rapidly established a thriving sector in just 46 years. These rapid advancements include a comprehensive national survey of kiwifruit germplasm resources, the establishment of an independent variety innovation system, and the implementation of production technologies specifically tailored to China’s agricultural conditions. Consequently, China has emerged as the largest global producer of kiwifruit, with a productive planting area exceeding 200 000 hectares and an annual output surpassing 3.8 million tons by 2024. The development of China’s kiwifruit industry can be traced back to 1978, progressing through six distinct phases marked by varying degrees of innovation and market integration. A particularly notable period of rapid growth occurred between 2008 and 2013, especially in regions like Sichuan, where the application of standardized technologies and the conversion of scientific advancements resulted in substantial improvements in both yield and quality. Since 2014, the sector has continued to accelerate, driven by national targeted poverty alleviation policies and the introduction of new varieties, with cultivation areas expanding from 100 000 hectares to an impressive 290 000 hectares. Currently, approximately 199 000 hectares are fruiting orchards, which accounts for 68% of the total cultivation area in the world. Within China, Shaanxi Province leads in kiwifruit cultivation, covering 73, 000 hectares, followed by Sichuan (50 000 hectares), Guizhou (43 000 hectares), Hunan (24 000 hectares), and Jiangxi (20 000 hectares). The diversity of cultivated varieties reflects the sector’s expansion, with the varieties grown over 30 000hectares primarily including Xuxiang (A. deliciosa) and Hongyang (A. chinensis), and the varieties grown in the range of 20 000 to 30 000 hectares mainly consisting of Cuixiang (A. deliciosa) and Donghong (A. chinensis). China’s cultivation areas are continually spreading, resulting in the establishment of five major production zones: (1) the Northwest and North China, the largest zone in terms of area and yield, where 80% of varieties were A. deliciosa; (2) the Southwest China, focusing primarily on red and yellow-fleshed A. chinensis varieties; (3) the Central China, growing both A. chinensis and A. deliciosa varieties; (4) the East China, mainly using varieties of A. chinensis; and (5) the South China, primarily using A. chinensis varieties. Despite the extensive cultivation, China remains a significant importer of kiwifruit, with import volumes increasing annually while exports constitute a minimal proportion. The majority of imports are sourced from New Zealand and Italy, with New Zealand accounting for over 90% of the total imports. The export activities are limited, mainly directed toward markets in Russia and Hong Kong of China. The advantages that underpin the development of China’s kiwifruit industry are multifaceted, including the resource availability, favorable ecological conditions, technological advancements, and innovations in varieties and production methods. As the natural distribution center for the genus Actinidia, China hosts 96% of the world’s kiwifruit species and has identified numerous elite individual plants, leading to the development of several variety series. The diverse ecological environments, particularly in regions like Zhouzhi and Meixian in Shaanxi and the Sichuan Basin, provide optimal growth conditions for kiwifruit. Significant progress has been made in kiwifruit research, establishing a comprehensive system for the taxonomy, identification, evaluation, and utilization of kiwifruit germplasm. Chinese scientists have successfully completed the genome sequencing of over 20 kiwifruit varieties, including Hongyang and Donghong, and have constructed a high-density genetic map for the species. They have also identified molecular markers for several important traits and developed evolutionary and hybridization models for the genus Actinidia. Particularly during 2018—2022, the research institutions such as Northwest A&F University, the Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiangxi Agricultural University, and the Zhengzhou Fruit Tree Research Institute have been actively engaged in studies related to kiwifruit germplasm resources, plant protection, postharvest preservation, and deep processing, resulting in numerous scientific achievements. The statistics indicated that the number of SCI papers in the field of kiwifruit research in China has reached 1466, accounting for a significant portion of global research on the subject. Continuous innovation in breeding methods has led to the certificate approval of 138 varieties and the patent protection of 145 varieties, ensuring comprehensive industrial technology across the supply chain. However, the rapid advancement of the kiwifruit industry in China still faces several challenges, including low yield per capita, inadequate regional planning, an incomplete technical service system, frequent natural disasters, and a lack of awareness regarding fruit quality. To promote sustainable and healthy development, systematic improvements are essential in the areas such as planning, technological training, and market adaptability. The recommendations were proposed for promoting the development of the kiwifruit industry, including conducting regional trials and suitability assessments, enhancing seedling breeding technology research and oversight, cultivating grassroots technical talent, and bolstering research and development of applied technologies throughout the supply chain. Additionally, exploring smart kiwifruit orchards and logistics centers could further enhance efficiency and productivity.