USDA Agriculture Marketing Service has published the attached final rule as it pertains to modifying the handling regulations listed under the Federal Marketing Order for Kiwifruit grown in California. This action revises the ‘size and uniformity’ requirements associated with the Actinidia Chinensis species of kiwifruit, commonly known as Golden Kiwifruit. Under section 8e of the Agriculture Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, these changes will also impact all imports of fresh kiwifruit of the Golden Kiwi variety as well.

As per USDA AMS, the final rule lowers the minimum size requirement for all varieties of species Actinidia Chinensis of kiwifruit from size 45 to 49, described in the requirements as a maximum of 64 pieces of fruit in an 8-pound sample. Additionally, the final rule exempts all varieties of Golden Kiwifruit from AMS container requirement that fruit be fairly uniform in size.

Overall, the relaxation in size requirements for imports of Actinidia Chinensis is intended to allow a greater quantity of kiwifruit to be imported. Per USDA AMS, the goal is to ultimately benefit the importers/distributors as well as consumers by adding more flexibility to sizes offered to market.

J&K Fresh will continue to monitor all USDA AMS changes in regulatory policy and advise the trade accordingly.

As always, please let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns pertaining to this final rule.