National trade body predicts 17 per cent increase in production with leading southwest region expected to meet ‘normal’ volume potential
Fresh plum production in France is forecast to increase significantly to 54,000-58,000 tonnes in 2025, according to the industry body AOPN Prune.
The forecast, announced at the Medfel trade show in Perpignan, is around 17 per cent higher than the 46,000-50,000 tonnes forecast in 2024.
The southwest of France, which accounts for 61 per cent of the country’s plum production, is expected to deliver 90-100 per cent of a ‘normal harvest’ thanks to regular budding, largely favourable conditions for flowering, and effective hail protection in March.
In the northeastern region of Lorraine – France’s second largest for plums at 22 per cent of the national total – production is expected to reach 80 per cent of a normal harvest.
AOPN Prune described flowering in the region as “quite mixed”, however flowers were pollinated in “ideal conditions” across the region.
Meanwhile, the season is shaping up well in the southeast of France, which produces 14 per cent of French plums.
There have been “excellent flowering conditions” in the south east this season, according to AOPN Prune, but the industry association said it is still to early to make firm predictions for that region.
