French markets and supermarkets sell some 80000 tonnes of kiwi fruit, of which about 30000 are imported, particularly in winter when southern hemisphere fruit is in season. But in European season French grown kiwi are generally more expensive than those imported. This led several wholesalers to take part in a fraud, selling cheaper Italian fruit as French. Food inspectors discovered that some fruit showed traces of pesticides used in Italy, but banned in France.
One firm under investigation is based in Tarn and Garonne and two in Lot and Garonne. Two Italian exporters have been prosecuted for issuing false certificates of origin.
Local producers explain that the lack of use of fungicides means they lose more fruit in cold storage than their competitors, increasing costs, but ensuring a less contaminated product.
