Kiwi Fruit

キウイフルーツ

While most kiwi fruit in Japan is imported from New Zealand or China, domestic production exists with Ehime Prefecture as the leading region. Harvested from October to December, cold storage extends availability through spring. Gold kiwi varieties have gained popularity for their enhanced sweetness

Taste & Texture

Well-balanced sweetness and refreshing acidity with a tropical aroma. Green varieties are more tart; gold varieties are sweeter and milder. Rich in vitamin C

Season

MONTHLY AVAILABILITY

Oct - Nov

PEAK

※ Season is based on domestic field-grown availability

How to Choose

  • Often requires ripening after purchase.

  • The fruit should feel plump and yield slightly to gentle pressure when ripe.

  • Look for uniform surface fuzz.

  • Underripe fruits are hard and overly tart.

How to Store

  • Ripen underripe kiwi at room temperature (placing next to apples speeds ripening).

  • Once ripe, store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator vegetable compartment.

  • Cut kiwi should be wrapped and refrigerated for 2-3 days.

Shelf life 2-3 weeks refrigerated (once ripe), a few days to 1 week at room temperature while ripening

* High ethylene producer — store separately from other produce.

Nutrition Facts

Wholesale Market Data

MARKET INSIGHTS

CHEAPEST May ¥523/kg
BUSIEST Mar 3,040t
Volume (t)
In season
Price (yen/kg)

Source: MAFF Wholesale Market Survey for Fresh Produce (2023)

Retail Price

Price Trend

Cheapest Dec ¥1,095/1kg
Most Expensive Apr ¥1,381/1kg

Annual Average

¥1,194/1kg

Source: Statistics Bureau Retail Price Survey (2026)

Production Ranking

Ehime24.0%
Fukuoka19.8%
Wakayama16.9%
Kanagawa6.1%
Gunma4.6%
Others28.5%
10%+
5%+
2%+
0.1%+
None

Map data: National Land Numerical Information (MLIT Japan)

#
Prefecture
Harvest (t)
Share
1
4,660
24.0%
2
3,850
19.8%
3
3,290
16.9%
4
1,190
6.1%
5
893
4.6%

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics / Agricultural Census (2023)

Top 5 Prefecture Harvest Trends (2018-2023)

Ehime
Fukuoka
Wakayama
Kanagawa
Gunma

Consumption Ranking

National Average (annual spending per household)

¥2,352 /year
#
City
Annual Spending
1
Saitama Saitama
¥3,222
2
Kyoto Kyoto
¥3,132
3
Yokohama Kanagawa
¥3,053
4
Chiba Chiba
¥2,986
5
Kobe Hyogo
¥2,960

Source: Statistics Bureau Family Income and Expenditure Survey (2024, two-or-more-person households, prefectural capital cities)