Potential of Vis-NIR spectroscopy for detection of chilling injury in kiwifruit

•Visible – near infrared spectroscopy can identify kiwifruit with chilling injury.•NIR spectral analysis segregated the fruit by symptom severity.•Measurements at the stylar end gave better segregation than those at the equator.•Tissue with granular / corky appearance is more informative than water-soaked tissue.•Water-soaked tissue from chilling and impact damaged fruit differed in spectral shape.