"There is still a shortage of plums in the market"

"Extremadura, which is the largest producer in Spain, is already harvesting varieties like the Early Queen and Red Beauty, but, according to the exporter, "the Red Beauty is an increasingly less representative variety, whose acreage keeps falling each year due to its small calibre, short shelf life and few organoleptic qualities. As of 25 June, more representative volumes of other plum varieties, such as the Splendor, are expected, which should make it possible to supply more distant countries."

Founded in 2012, Explum is a cooperative of 75 producers with a total of about 450 hectares devoted to the production of stonefruit, with plums being the flagship product, with around 10 million kilos per year.

"We continue replacing obsolete varieties with newer ones that offer a better taste quality and higher yields; plums that last longer in chambers and which also resist long trips, allowing us to supply customers worldwide."

Explum is specialised in shipments over long distances, to destinations such as North America, South America, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where in addition to exporting to India and Malaysia, it is on track to opening the Chinese market, following the signing of the protocol with Spain that grants access to the country's stonefruit.

"This year, we want to conduct the first tests with China, even though we have the limiting factor of the distance, with a shipping time longer than 30 days. We have to find the most suitable varieties for these trips and which are also consistent with the tastes of Chinese consumers. It is an unknown market for us and we have to start small, but I think it is a country with a huge potential, very interesting for us."