The cherry season has come to an end “without having really started, unfortunately,” explains Eric Tastayre, managing director of Apifood. On the other hand, the plum season, which begins this week, looks much more promising. “The heavy rain and a major physiological drop have had a major impact on this year’s cherry harvest, which barely reached 20% of the normal production. But we cannot wait to start the plum campaign, which is finally shaping up to be a normal one after two catastrophic years.”
3,500 to 4,000 tons of plums expected
Although some plum varieties, such as the Reine-Claude, have been affected by the bad weather in the south of France, the season looks promising for most of the varieties marketed by Apifood. “In total, we have estimated the potential harvest for plums in 2023 at 3,500 to 4,000 tons. Last year, we had barely half of that volume. This means that this year, we will be able to run a real plum campaign and set up operations with our clients. In terms of quantities, we have certain Lily Ploom varieties that are gaining ground, such as the Primetime, for which we are expecting 1,000 tons this year (compared to 300 tons last year). The Lovita should also be available in larger quantities this year. In terms of quality, we are positive as well. The storms should give way to sunshine, which will allow the fruit to gorge itself with sugar.”
Less competition for plums this year
The campaign should go well, as long as the market is responsive. “We hope consumption will be good, but that will of course depend on the weather. If the weather is nice and warm, the demand will follow. The fact that there are fewer peaches and nectarines may also help with plum consumption. In any case, we are starting this campaign with a positive mindset.”
Tasty varieties throughout the season
The African Rose, a red-to-yellow Lily Ploom variety, will kick off the season at the end of the week. “It will be followed by the Obilnaya and the Sapphire, then the Primetime (another very tasty Lily Ploom variety), and of course the Soryana, a yellow plum that is also very aromatic. We are really delighted because we will be able to offer very tasty varieties to our clients from the beginning to the end of the campaign.”
For more information:
Eric Tastayre
Apifood
Bâtiment administratif
Marché Gare
82030 Montauban
Phone: +33 5 63 20 22 50
Mobile: +33 6 07 59 03 75
eric@apifood.com
apifood.com