The success of the California kiwifruit industry depends on fruit being of uniformly high quality when it reaches the consumer. Kiwifruit performs the best if it is not picked too early, so great attention is given to the fruit at harvest time.
Growers use hand-held refractometers to check the soluble solids level before harvest.
Harvest begins in late September, with the majority of fruit harvested during October and early November. Once the desired maturity has been achieved all kiwifruit from a vineyard can be harvested in a single pick. Fruit are harvested by hand with pickers wearing soft cotton gloves to prevent injury to the fruit. Bottom-release design picking bags are typically used, with pickers transferring the fruit into field bins. Field bins are made of either plywood or sturdy plastic.