The plum season has just started in Badajoz, the most important producing area of this stone fruit in Spain and Europe. "Today we have officially kicked off our plum campaign, and we already have significant volumes of the product," says José Aurelio García, manager of the Extremadura-based cooperative Explum.
"The harvest has started eight to ten days earlier than last year, when it was delayed, and about four or five days before what would be a normal campaign, given the warm weather conditions during the spring. Some hailstorms were recorded in the area of Las Vegas Altas, but it is still early to know how much of an impact this will have on the global campaign," he said.
Although last year there was a 50% decline in Extremadura's plum production as a whole, this year's harvest is expected to be normal again. "Last year, we had difficulties to supply the fruit due to the low production, especially of small sizes. This year, however, we are harvesting the usual volumes, without excesses, and with a wide range of sizes," says José Aurelio.
At the moment, Explum is marketing the Black Splendor variety, whose cultivation is widespread in the area. "The demand and prices are high at the moment, which is what usually happens when a new seasonal product hits the shelves. In the beginning, it is easy to meet the demand, although prices will gradually change throughout the campaign based on the supply and demand levels at each time. In any case, it is worth taking into account that the peak in plum sales is reached after the second half of July.
The company ships black, red and yellow plums to many destinations in Europe, including the Nordic and the Eastern countries, as well as overseas destinations. "We will see how much of an impact there will be from the local productions in the countries where we export, such as Germany, Poland or Italy." At this time of year, Spain is the only origin able to offer continuity in the supply of the fruit, with a wide range of sizes and good Brix degrees, although it is difficult to compete in terms of prices with the local productions of each individual country. On the other hand, unlike last year, we will have a greater availability of fruit, so we will be better able to meet the demand from overseas markets."
According to José Aurelio García, each market has different preferences. "Poland demands 10 kilo boxes and large-caliber red and yellow plums with pruina, that silvery powder that the fruit naturally generates in its skin, and which gives it a longer shelf life. For some markets, like Asia, Canada, Spain, Portugal or Mexico, the pruina is a symbol of freshness, while in other markets it is seen as something unattractive and a reason for the fruit's rejection. In the UK and the Baltic countries, there is a higher demand for red plums of smaller sizes and without pruina. Germany mostly demands small black plums in 5 kilo boxes and basket type formats, and Portugal usually prefers large-sized black and red plums with pruina."
For more information:
José Aurelio García
Explum SC
T: +34 924446338
M: +34 615289854
jagarcia@explumsc.com
www.explumsc.com