For the 2nd year, plum harvest forecasts were presented at medFEL. After two years of frost in 2021 and 2022, the 2023 campaign saw a 120% harvest, and between 70% and 80% of a normal harvest in 2024. This year, French plums are back to their full production potential. Another announcement made at the event was that the plums that joined Eco-Responsible Orchards last year should be marketed with their label by 2026.
The Association of Plum Producers, which joined Eco-Responsible Orchards last year, has 24 members (OPs and marketers), 230 producers, a potential of almost 30,000 tons, and 3 production areas: southwest (80%), Lorraine (15%), and southeast (5%).
Details, basin by basin
This year, the Association of Plum Producers is expecting a total French harvest (fresh) of 54,000 to 58,000 tons, compared with 46,000-50,000 tons in 2024. For the southwestern basin (61% of the national supply), the expected harvest looks good and should be between 90 and 100% of a normal harvest. "The frost spared us more than usual, and we had a fairly good fruit set," according to the association. In the Grand-Est basin (22% of national supply), the production potential for mirabelle plums is estimated at 80% of a normal harvest. Finally, in the southeastern basin, the potential is "somewhat mixed." Several growers have reported poor fruit set, so the good production potential has yet to be confirmed. The overall potential announced at medFEL should therefore be sufficient to "cover national consumption."
"We need remunerative prices in line with the efforts made in production"
The Association of Plum Producers also raised the issue of rising production costs. "Producing has been costing more and more. Producers have to cope with soaring costs for labor, energy, inputs, packaging, as well as for the renovation of orchards, varietal innovation, and the modernization of fruit stations." In 3 years, structural costs have risen by almost 30%. "Our operating costs (mainly labor) and inputs have also risen. Considering all these factors, we have to work hard to ensure that the value chain is respected and that production costs are also respected. So the selling price should be at least proportional to these curves." According to the association, this is a necessity because "a new generation of producers is emerging. Our profession is no exception to the age pyramid in agriculture."
The Association of Plum Producers is asking distributors for more visibility to transform impulse buying into programmed purchasing
After a year of low remuneration in 2023, 2024 saw better remuneration for producers, and we hope this "will continue in 2025," according to the association. "Our retail partners must remain committed to promoting the French origin at the right time." This will inevitably require greater visibility and better prices. "We need remunerative prices in line with the efforts made in production." The association is therefore calling on distributors to promote French plums. "The plum is a fruit that is essentially bought on impulse, and our goal is to gradually grab market shares and turn it into programmed purchasing. To do this, we need presence and visibility on the shelves. If we succeed in renewing our varieties, which is what we are working on right now, we are bound to generate repeat purchases and, therefore, to make progress. The association wants to attract new consumers and increase the proportion of households buying from 42% to 50% within 3 years.