"Our yellow kiwi season has started over a week early"

In the Italian region of Lazio, the ripening period is ten days ahead of schedule, while in northern Italy it is seven days ahead. As a result, kiwi fruits may be sold as early as the end of September. This topic was discussed on 9 September 2025, during the Dorì Day event organized by the consortium in Faenza, Emilia-Romagna. The day began with on-site tours at the OP Granfrutta Zani plant and continued with more activities. It concluded with a talk show in Imola, Bologna. Alessandro Zampagna, the managing director of Dorì International, and Giampaolo Dal Pane, the president of Dorì International, presided over the proceedings.

Click here for the photo gallery© Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.comGiampaolo Dal Pane

The first stop was at Granfrutta Zani, coordinated by Sandro Zani. "This is the first stock of this year's Dorì kiwis, which just arrived from Latina and Sabaudia in Lazio. They are grown in greenhouses and are about ten days early. Dorì is also cultivated in southern regions, such as Calabria and Campania. Once our Unitec grader is set up on Monday, we will begin sorting and processing operations."

Click here for the photo gallery © Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.com Sandro Zani

Over 200 people participated in Dorì Day, including technicians, farmers, and salesmen from different parts of the world: Spain, Portugal, France, Australia, Chile, and Great Britain.

Click here for the photo gallery © Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.com

"The Dori campaign has already begun," says Dal Pane. "This is the earliest year ever recorded. In some areas, the harvest started on 4 September. Typically, this would be the right time to harvest, but the consistently high temperatures in recent years have caused the grapes to ripen later because excessive heat stresses the plants."

Click here for the photo gallery © Cristiano Riciputi | FreshPlaza.com

This year, the consortium will increase its production of yellow kiwi fruit in Italy by 25%, reaching 5,500–6,000 tons. There will also be production from other countries, including Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Greece will contribute significant quantities, about 500–600 tons.

After touring the Granfrutta Zani factory, the guests observed production in the fields. They visited several farms, including Christian Mainetti's company in Faenza, which specializes in kiwis and was one of the first to support Dorì.

"Our Dorì kiwis," Dal Pane concludes, "will be on the shelves of large retailers as early as the end of September, seven to ten days earlier than in previous years."

For more information:
Consorzio Dorì Europe S.r.l
Via Farosi, 435
48014 Castel Bolognese (RA) - Italy
+39 329.4335604
[email protected]
www.dorieurope.eu