There is expected to be a reduced number of prunes available in the UK market this year, with significant declines in volume in three of the biggest producing countries.
Reduced yields, following two consecutive years of strong crops, are expected to result in volume declines in France (-20 per cent), the US (-24 per cent) and Chile (-40 per cent).
The California Prune Board says there has been a 43 per cent drop in total acreage this season, and says demand in both domestic and international markets will be much greater than production. According to the industry body, a demand for high-value nut crops is stimulating a decline in prune bearing acreage, with prune prices in California expected to rise up to 20 per cent this year.
Donn Zea, executive director of the California Dried Plum Board in Sacramento, said: “This (pricing increase) is an adjustment that was imminent to lower volumes. We just happened to get some assistance from a smaller crop in California and globally. I’m optimistic that we’ll be back on a sustainable track and our growers will regain enthusiasm about keeping their prune orchards.'
Zea says that this year's crop has great sugar levels and says that prunes have a massive opportunity to increase sales in Europe should there be better promotion of the fruit's health benefits.
He added: “This is a product that is enormously undersold. Once consumers of all ages are aware of the many health benefits, diverse uses and delicious taste, they’ll realise that prunes really are the whole package. It is critical that consumers are able to continue to receive these messages.'
