W31: Plum & Prune Update
In W31 in the plum and prune landscape, the 2023 plum harvest in Hungary is expected to range between 40 thousand metric tons (mt) to 50 thousand mt, weaker than the average. The harvest outlook is generally below average within the predominant growing regions of Transdanubia, Pest, and Bács-Kiskun counties. The northeastern region is exceptional, with expectations of a better-than-average yield. The decline can be attributed to the drought in 2022, impeding the formation of sufficient and high-quality flower buds on trees.
While initial signs indicated flower scarcity, the situation improved marginally due to substantial autumn rains, leading to better-than-expected flowering in spring. The resultant crop quality proved favorable despite unfavorable rainy and cool conditions for pollination. The peak plum season begins in August. The current producer plum prices have maintained parity with or slightly exceeding the 2022 levels. Net producer prices for hand-harvested fresh market plums are currently ranging between USD 0.57/kilogram (kg) and USD 0.85/kg.
The Sorriso di Primavera plum production is concluding in Italy. This paves the way for the arrival of characteristic varieties for the 2023 season, including Sangue di Drago, Regina Claudia, and the early Ersinger. Prices remain consistent with the levels seen for varieties currently in the market. This transition reflects the typical market progression without any significant fluctuations.
The Moldovan 2023 season for domestic plums commenced in mid-Jul-23, slightly delayed by about two weeks compared to the 2022 season. Initial plum prices were among the highest in a five-year span, averaging around USD 0.83/kg. This price surge is attributed to farmers capitalizing on the novelty effect. However, this high premium pricing was short-lived. Wholesale plum prices in Chisinau plummeted below USD 0.39/kg by the end of W30. Early Moldovan plums in 2023, such as Chachakskaya early and Peteshtyanka, boasted an appealing appearance with size and color, but high acidity was unappealing to consumers. Also, the Moldovan market was flooded with numerous alternative fruits in Jul-23. Moreover, domestic summer plums typically find their prime sales period in August.
Lastly, the limited Moldovan plum export volumes have not contributed much to sustaining prices. Only small consignments of early Moldovan plum varieties reached the Russian and Belarusian markets, albeit at marginal prices due to currency exchange rates. Romanian purchases of Moldovan plums for processing, mainly distillation, are priced between USD 0.17/kg and USD 0.19/kg. This is a respectable value for industrial plums, though still lacking in the desired sugar content that Romanian buyers seek.
