Key facts
- India imported US$418 million of apples and kiwi in FY2024-25 (freshplaza.com).
- Sourced from 4 origin countries: NZ, IR, CL, IT.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, BRCGS Food Safety.
- Typical minimum order: One 40' reefer (typical).
Product overview
India imports most of the kiwifruit it eats: more than 43,000 t in FY2023-24 against about 18,000 t of domestic production in the north-east and Himachal Pradesh (Ken Research, tier 5, unsourced). Iran supplies the most volume, followed by New Zealand, Chile and Italy.
Kiwi has moved from niche to mainstream through supermarkets and quick-commerce apps, helped by its health image. Iranian kiwi arrives in autumn and winter at low prices (prices fell about 15% year on year in Oct 2026, FreshPlaza); New Zealand supplies premium green and gold fruit from April to October.
The India-New Zealand FTA, in force from 20 Oct 2026, gives in-quota NZ kiwifruit 0% duty above a minimum CIF value of US$1.80/kg. Reports conflict on the quota volumes, so check the DGFT notification.
HS note: Dried kiwi falls under 0813.40.
Specifications
| Size | Count per tray/carton (e.g. 25–42 count per ~3.3–3.6 kg tray) (typical) |
|---|---|
| Dry matter / Brix | Dry matter ≥ ~15–16% at harvest for taste (typical) |
| Storage | ~0 °C, 90–95% RH; ethylene-sensitive (typical) |
| Varieties | Hayward (green), SunGold / gold varieties (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Premium NZ green/gold
Branded, high dry matter; modern trade.
Iranian Hayward
Value segment for mandis and street retail.
Chile / Italy
Counter-season and winter fillers.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trays / cartons | ~3.3–3.6 kg single-layer trays; 10 kg bulk cartons (typical) | Palletised in reefer |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP Rarely used · 40' HC ~20 pallets ≈ 16–19 t (40' reefer, typical). Keep away from ethylene-producing fruit
Customisation: Retail punnets for modern trade
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Maharashtra
Mumbai (Vashi APMC), Pune
Main port of entry and modern-trade buyers
Delhi
Delhi (Azadpur Mandi)
North-India wholesale
Karnataka
Bengaluru
Quick-commerce and supermarket demand
Tamil Nadu / Telangana
Chennai, Hyderabad
South-India wholesale and modern trade
West Bengal
Kolkata
East-India wholesale
Sourcing origins
NZ
Te Puke, Tauranga (Bay of Plenty)
Premium green and gold kiwifruit (Apr–Oct); India-NZ FTA from 20 Oct 2026 gives 0% in-quota duty above min CIF US$1.80/kg.
IR
Sari (Mazandaran), Rasht (Gilan), Bandar Abbas (port)
Largest volume source in autumn/winter at low prices; sanctions constrain banking and shipping.
CL
Curicó, Rancagua, San Antonio (port)
Counter-season Hayward green kiwi.
IT
Latina, Verona
Europe's largest kiwi producer; Northern-Hemisphere winter supply.
Origin market notes
European Union
Italy and Greece supply winter fruit; the India-EU FTA is not yet in force (projected early 2027).
Australia & New Zealand
India-NZ FTA in force 20 Oct 2026: in-quota NZ kiwifruit at 0% duty above minimum CIF US$1.80/kg; reports conflict on year-1 quota (none vs 6,250 t) — check the DGFT notification.
Other markets
Iranian kiwi dominates winter supply and set prices ~15% lower year on year in Oct 2026; banking channels are limited by US sanctions. Chile supplies counter-season fruit.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: kiwifruit needs a plant-quarantine import permit and phytosanitary certificate, FSSAI FICS clearance and entry via notified ports. MFN duty: verify on ICEGATE (not checked this session). NZ origin: India-NZ FTA from 20 Oct 2026 — 0% in-quota above min CIF US$1.80/kg, quota administered by DGFT (volumes reported inconsistently). Sources: https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9884034/india-sets-import-quotas-and-tariffs-for-new-zealand-apples-and-kiwifruit/; https://ppqs.gov.in; https://fics.fssai.gov.in.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment firmness and dry-matter checks
- • Reefer temperature logs
- • Arrival survey for softening and rot
- • Residue tests against FSSAI MRLs
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • BRCGS Food Safety
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Lab analysis report (aflatoxin, moisture, pesticide residues)
- • FSSAI import NOC (obtained in India via FICS)
- • Plant-quarantine import permit
- • FTA quota authorisation (DGFT) where applicable
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Apples and kiwi (temperate fruit) | 418 | verified | freshplaza.com |
Apples USD 417.6 mn CY2024, 558,000 t FY25 (GTRI); kiwi >43,000 t FY24 vs ~18,160 t domestic; DGFT 'Fruits & vegetables' group 3,268 -> 3,824 (+17%)
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
Is New Zealand kiwifruit duty-free in India?
Under the India-NZ FTA in force from 20 October 2026, in-quota NZ kiwifruit pays 0% duty if its CIF value is at least US$1.80/kg. Quota volumes are reported inconsistently, so check the DGFT notification.
Which countries supply kiwi to India?
Iran supplies the most volume, followed by New Zealand, Chile and Italy.
What approvals are needed to import kiwifruit?
A plant-quarantine import permit and phytosanitary certificate, FSSAI clearance on FICS, and entry through a port notified for fresh fruit.
When is imported kiwi in season in India?
New Zealand fruit from about April to October; Iranian, Italian and Greek fruit in autumn and winter; Chilean fruit overlaps the NZ season.
Request a quote for Kiwifruit (Green & Gold)
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