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PGI — Label Rouge — Aquitaine
Born in 1965 from a gamble by Henri Pédelucq, an agronomist from the Landes, Kiwi de l'Adour has become the benchmark for French kiwi fruit — the only one to bear the dual crown of PGI and Label Rouge.
Fruit from Aquitaine, PGI (IGP) since 2009.
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The history of Kiwi de l'Adour began with two agricultural engineers who trained together at the Institut National Agronomique de Paris-Grignon, Henri Pédelucq and Jean-Louis Soyez. In 1965, Pédelucq spotted New Zealand fruit on the British market and asked his former fellow student to send him some plants to attempt acclimatising them in his native Landes region, in the heart of the Adour basin. Between 1966 and 1968, he imported 400 large-fruited actinidia plants from New Zealand, before establishing contact with New Zealand nurseryman Mac Loughlin in 1969 and having 2,000 plants of the Hayward variety shipped over.
The first commercial harvest took place in 1972 — yielding less than a tonne of fruit. On 12 December that same year, the first 'Origine France' kiwis were dispatched to the German market. Other growers across the Adour basin quickly followed suit: as early as 1973, Pédelucq gathered the future leaders of the burgeoning industry in Peyrehorade, in the Landes.
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The Adour basin traditionally offered a microclimate ideally suited to kiwi fruit: winters cold enough to ensure vegetative dormancy, temperate summers, and regular rainfall courtesy of the Atlantic influence — a balance now disrupted by climate change (see News). The production area spans the south of the Landes, the north of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, and the west of the Gers, with 358 growers organised around 10 fruit packing stations, accounting for a quarter of France's national kiwi production.
Kiwi de l'Adour is the only French kiwi to benefit from dual certification: Label Rouge (since 1992) and PGI (since 2009). This double accolade reflects both superior eating quality and an official recognition of its geographical roots. Peyrehorade, in the Landes, where Pédelucq first brought together the sector's pioneers back in 1973, remains recognised as one of the historic cradles of French kiwi cultivation.
Appearance
Oval fruit with lightly downy brown skin, vibrant emerald-green flesh, a white core, and tiny black seeds
Aroma
Fresh and subtly tart, with hints of gooseberry
Taste
Sweet and well-balanced with controlled acidity and notes of strawberry, redcurrant, and citrus; this harmony between sugar and acidity is the hallmark of its dual certification
Texture
Firm when bought, becoming melt-in-the-mouth and juicy when fully ripe
The exclusive variety, selected for its superior eating quality. Large-calibre fruit with dense, aromatic flesh.
The same variety, certified for its geographical origin. Available on market stalls from December to May.
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Kiwi de l'Adour is enjoyed au naturel, sliced in half and scooped out with a teaspoon once it yields gently under finger pressure. It elevates fruit salads, tarts, and smoothies. On the savoury side, it pairs delightfully with fish carpaccio or salads of smoked duck breast — a land-and-sea pairing typical of the South-West. Rich in vitamin C, magnesium, and fibre, it is the ideal companion for winter breakfasts.
Since: 2009
Area covered: Adour basin: Landes (40), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), Gers (32)
Key requirements: Hayward variety; grown and packed within the designated area; full traceability
Since: 1992
Area covered: Adour basin: Landes (40), Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), Gers (32)
Key requirements: Superior eating quality; controlled sugar-acid balance; minimum size
Farm
Artisan
Cooperative
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SIKIG (Société Internationale du Kiwi des Gaves) is based at Domaine Darmandieu, in Saint-Étienne-d'Orthe. It was founded in 1964 by Henri Pédelucq, who planted Europe's first green kiwi vines; it presents itself as France's leading producer of green and yellow kiwis, with an annual production of 8,000 tonnes. It also claims to have been the first to plant a Zespri Gold kiwi orchard in France, in the Adour and Garonne valleys, in partnership since 2000 with New Zealand company Zespri, the world leader in yellow kiwis; the stated goal is to double the 200 hectares already planted. It describes an approach that has moved from sustainable farming to a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy across its orchards, packing facility and trading operations, and claims the Label Rouge Kiwi de l'Adour, PGI (IGP), Organic and Global GAP certifications.
In January 2024, it signed a partnership with the Maïsadour cooperative to develop the kiwi sector among its members, providing them with technical and commercial support — project definition, planting follow-up and recruitment assistance.
In Peyrehorade, SIKIG co-funded the decoration of the kiwi roundabout marking the entrance to the town in 2010, alongside Kiwifruits de France; both companies were then identified as the leading businesses in the local industry.
| Address | Domaine Darmandieu, 40300 Saint-Étienne-d'Orthe |
| 05 58 73 22 22 | |
| contact@kiwi-france.com | |
| kiwi-france.com | |
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Part of the production is certified organic, since 2003. |
