W34: Plum & Prune Update

In W34 in the plum and prune landscape, Moldova’s fruit growers associations report that Moldovan plum exports amounted to over 6.5 thousand metric tons (mt) from Jul-23 to mid-Aug-23. Notably, nearly 62% of Moldovan plum shipments are destined for the European Union (EU) countries. Moldova’s plum exports are expected to match or even surpass Aug-22 exports of around 8 thousand mt by the end of Aug-23. However, Sep-23 might register a slight export supply decrease, with the bulk of Moldovan plums expected to be shipped from Oct-23 to Nov-23.

Moldova primarily exports early plum varieties such as Kabardinka, and Chachakskaya during the summer. Due to their limited shelf life and unsuitability for drying or processing, a considerable portion of these plums destined for Romania and Poland are used for distillation purposes, usually priced at USD 0.17 per kilogram (kg) to USD 0.19/kg.

Late plum variety harvesting like Stanley is imminent in Moldova. Experts suggest a substantial portion of Moldovan plums will be stored in facilities as production in other countries reduces. Moldovan agricultural producers are expected to store significantly more plums in 2023 compared to 2022’s level of around 20 thousand mt. This is due to energy cost increases and uncertain Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) export prospects, representing about half the usual volume.

Argentine Patagonia maintains a strict control regime to protect its health status. Recently, Argentina’s National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) thwarted the covert attempt to import 4.48 mt of plums from Spain. The plums were concealed in a truck en route from Buenos Aires to Centenario, Neuquén. The plums lacked proper health documentation and mandatory quarantine treatment for entry, leading to the confiscation of 448 boxes of plums. This discovery carries significant implications for the region's health status and its efforts to maintain fruit fly-free conditions, particularly because the imported merchandise hailed from a country with a high pest presence. The threat of introducing infested products could spark a resurgence of the pest, potentially jeopardizing Argentina's hard-earned free area status and access to valuable global markets.

Lastly, plums from the Xinjiang region in China dominated the seasonal fruit market in W34. Premium-quality plums held steady at around USD 6.91/kg to USD 8.29/kg. Meanwhile, lower-grade plums varied in price. These plums were packaged in gift boxes of either 2 kg or 3.5 kg and also in plastic tubs, although the emphasis was on gift box packaging.