History

"Oscar" : the brand name of the Cooperative Scaap Kiwifruits de France

1980	The Oscar brand is created by Guy Poylecot and François Lafitte, kiwifruit growers in South-West France. The entire crop is sent to Germany, the only European country that is familiar with kiwifruit.
1981	The Oscar brand is active in developing awareness of the fruit in France. Instore tasting is used as an initial means of communicating with consumers. Oscar is the first kiwifruit brand sold in France.
1982	The coopérative Scaap Kiwifruits de France is created, producing Oscar brand kiwifruit.
1987	Frist sales of French kiwifruit in Spain, under the Oscar brand name.
1990	Export expands. Production rises sharply in Italy and France. The Oscar kiwifruit finds new outlets in Canada, and for the first time, consignments of French kiwifruit are sent by sea to remote destinations.
1992	International crisis for kiwifruit growers, provoked by over-production. Prices fall ; many orchards are rooted up. The producers of Oscar kiwifruit survive the crisis because they are well-organized, because the brand is well known and because distributors have confidence in the rigorous quality criteria.
1993	Exports to Taïwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, making the Oscar the first European kiwifruit to be marketed in Asia.
1997	Traceability guaranteed as Oscar kiwifruit gains the Certificat de Conformité Produit (French Product Compliance Certificate). This certification allows us to improve the brand's quality still further. Inputs (such as fertilisers, water and pesticides) used in the orchards are reduced ; there are better product quality controls in the packing house and traceability is guaranteed (although at this time it is not mandatory). A plantation-assistance programme is set up to support growers.
1998	Exports to Brazil, the United States and Argentina.
1999	Oscar kiwifruit all year round ! Producers of Scaap Kiwifruits de France aim to satisfy their customers by supplying them with Oscar kiwifruit all year round. Comprehensive testing shows that Chile has land that is ideal and partnership agreements are signed with local growers. They receive technical support so that they use the same methods of cultivation as those used in France.
2004	Diversifying varieties. New varieties are developed to meet consumer demand : kiwifruit with yellow or red flesh, and also baby kiwifruits or "kiwaïs". Oscar becomes the only specialist kiwifruit brand that is available throughout the year.
2006 à 2008	Oscar is the first French kiwifruit to be exported to India and China.