In 1959, they were marketed in New Zealand as "kiwifruit" and spread to other parts of the world. The fruit began to be exported first to England (the fruit became very popular with British and American soldiers stationed in New Zealand during World War II), where it was very well received in the fruit market. From there, they made their way to continental Europe and North America.
The popularity of kiwifruit in the world began in the 1970s. Today, they are grown in various countries, including southern Europe, Australia, and the United States, mainly in California and Chile.
In Europe, one of the largest producers of this fruit is Italy, which exports kiwis to many countries around the world. They are also grown successfully in southern France, Spain, Greece, and Portugal.
