French plums this year are fleshier than last year and production is expected to reach between 42,000 and 45,000 tons compared to 52,000 tons in 2016. Whilst the season began on the first of August with the early fruits, harvest really started last week and will continue until the 15th September, depending on weather conditions. Last year the season continued over a six week period.
Jacques Pomiès, President of the BIP (Interprofessional Prune Bureau) says that the weather has been different this year leading to bigger fruits. He explains that “The plums are fleshy and sweet, of a higher calibre but less of them on the branches”. The decrease in volume will be made up for by the quality. The French market represents 70% of prune sales. The larger prunes this year will stand out from competition from Chili, Argentina and California, who produce smaller prunes. Competition is always high as production costs in South America are lower than in France. Europe represents 30% of French prune sales and competition on the European market is high. The harvest rush has begun and will continue at full speed until the end of the month. Producers are busy in the fields so few will be present at the Grand Agen Prune Show (about 70,000 visitors expected between 25th-27th August).