China: Qifeng starts red kiwifruit exports to Malaysia
A common talking point at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong was the rise of Chinese brands, strengthening the reputation of local produce in a market where consumers often show place trust in imported goods when it comes to food safety and quality. 
One such brand was from renowned kiwifruit grower Shaanxi Qifeng Fruit Industry, whose stand was opposite the newly launched moniker 'YumSun' of Shenzhen YuanXing Fruit Co.
With the kiwifruit category dominated by the green Hayward variety and supplemented with premium brands like Zespri SunGold and Jingold, Qifeng had totally different cultivars on show; red variety Hongyang, Qifeng golden kiwifruit and two green alternatives to Hayward - Xuxiang and Cuixiang.
According to brand marketing center director Nemo Lee, Xuxiang is the cheapest of the unique varieties and is also exported to markets like Singapore and Russia, but the company is now looking further afield for selling Hongyang and Cuixiang.
"We are now exporting Hongyang to Malaysia, just starting this year," Lee told www.freshfruitportal.com.
"Honestly, Hongyang will not have too much volume overseas though. It's very popular in China, everyone likes the sweetness."
Nemo Lee
Hongyang has a light skin more akin to that of a gold variety, with a green-gold flesh inside surrounding a red core. Taste-wise, it is very sweet and this author also found it to have a subtle, almost peppery aftertaste.
Lee said the variety could sometimes fetch 15-20RMB (US$2.24-2.99) per piece at the supermarket level.
"There is not too much of it planted in Xi'an in the Shaanxi province, but a lot has been planted in Sichuan," he said.
"The disease Psa exists, and in Xi'an it's worse than in Sichuan so Sichuan has a bigger volume."
He said the cultivar probably made up around 10% of total production, and that Cuixiang accounted for a similar percentage.
Cuixiang kiwifruit is not so sour for a green kiwifruit with an almost grape-like flavor, and can generally have a sweetness level of around 17° Brix.
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