China Becomes Important Market for Kiwi fruit from New Zealand

China has become an important market for kiwi fruit from New Zealand, according to an announcement by New Zealand-owned Zespri International Ltd. on Wednesday.

Founded in 1997, the company is responsible for global sales of the fruit, which is sold in over 70 countries and regions.

Sales in China rose to 600，000 cases last year, from 10,000 in 1993, making the country the fourth largest market in Asia after Japan, China's Taiwan Province and the Republic of Korea.

Shanghai alone accounts for 70 percent of sales of the fruit in China.

The kiwi fruit is a native fruit of China, known as "mihou tao" (monkey's peach) or Chinese gooseberry in the country. It was introduced to New Zealand in 1905. Due to its favorable climate and improved cultivation skills, New Zealand accounts for 30 percent of the world's kiwi fruit exports.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/