Italian kiwifruit production increased by 12% year-on-year to 448,232 metric tons (MT) in the 2011-12 season, with the country reinforcing its position as the world's leading producer of the fruit.

A United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Kiwifruit Overview report said around 75% of the crop was exported with Germany as the leading European import destination, followed by Spain, France and Poland.

The report, published by the USDA's Global Agricultural Information Network (GAIN), highlighted Latina in the region of Lazio as the biggest growing area with 7,200ha, followed by Piedmont (4,950ha), Emilia Romagna (3,250ha) and Veneto (3,200ha).

The reported mentioned nine Italian suppliers, mainly from the Emilia Romagna and Veneto regions, had formed a marketing consortium that represents more than 100,000MT of Hayward kiwifruit.

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