W32: Plum & Prune Update
In W32 in the plum and prune landscape, the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) reports that the 2023 plum season is in full swing in Germany. The Italian and Spanish offers set the Sultanas plum variety trend. German plum batches, especially Katinka and Cacak's Schöne, stood out as the preferred choice. Varieties like Bühler Frühzwetschge, President, Hanita, and Top were also available. Lepotica from Serbia occasionally showcased better quality than competitors from North Macedonia, Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Overall, supply was ample to meet demand, and while some sales opportunities could be expanded, demand remained limited during the holiday period. In the Cologne region, Reine Claude plums from France made an appearance. In the Frankfurt region, German mirabelles traded at USD 4.58/kilogram (kg) to USD 5.13/kg but gradually dropped to range from USD 3.80/kg to USD 4.20/kg throughout W32. For French products, customers were expected to pay USD 5.24kg pack to USD 5.45/kg pack.
The European Parliament extended Moldova's free trade agreement with the European Union (EU) for a year, allowing tariff-free fruit imports. Moldovan plums, known for their quality and taste, are ready for global buyers. Moldova’s 2023 harvest is strong, with 19 thousand hectares (ha) producing around 100 thousand metric tons (mt) annually. Key varieties include Kabardinka, Stanley, and President. Experts emphasize compliance with international standards as a driver of Moldovan success. German demand for Moldovan plums is growing. Moldova exported plums to 24 countries in 2022, making it a top global exporter.
Plum processing in Poland faces challenges as the country's processing capacity can only handle a small portion of the overall plum production. Unlike the Balkans, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where plums are widely used for alcohol production, Poland largely focuses on jams and a limited amount of freezing. Recent purchasing activities centered around dessert and industrial plums for export and domestic markets. Initial prices range around USD 0.17/kg, with buyers favoring ripe and undamaged fruit. Plum processing in Poland predominantly centers in the Grójec basin. Alcohol production, apart from the exceptional Śliwowica Łącka, is less prominent due to stringent regulations. An overhaul of these regulations could spur growth in alcohol production and increase the demand for industrial plums.
Lastly, the 2023 French plum season, running from late June to early November is predicted to be successful due to favorable weather conditions. Early varieties were slightly affected by June's rains, but plums are expected to exhibit high quality and sugar levels in Aug-23. Ongoing favorable weather has boosted consumption and sugar accumulation. Following a slower market before July 14, the 2023 campaign gained momentum with strong sales and flavorful varieties, aligning well with supply and demand. Although minor hail impacts were observed, protective nets preserved most varieties. Different plum types are expected until Nov-23, with the Lovita variety closing the season. The Lovita, a green-red variety with red flesh, expands the plum range without being solely classified as a new red variety. 2023's campaign is considered normal after two frost-impacted seasons.
