The evolution of kiwifruit production in Portugal

Kiwifruit is a crop with increasing interest in Portugal in recent decades. 'Hayward' has been the main cultivar since the 1980s, when it started to be produced in Entre-Douro e Minho and Beira Litoral in Portugal. The high acceptability of the crop by producers and the market led to an increase in the planted area over the years. The high market demand for kiwifruit has led to the diversification of cultivars and species. Yellow-fleshed cultivars are in expansion, with good market acceptance. Also, Actinidia arguta has started to be produced in the last few years. Kiwifruit is a promising crop for those regions due to its good edapho-climatic adaptability and market requirements, either internal increasing consumption or for export.