W37: Plum & Prune Update

In W37 in the plum and prune landscape, the German fruit market was primarily dominated by domestically grown plum varieties, with a notable presence of Hauszwetsche, Presenta, and Fellenberg plums. Additionally, the market featured several top varieties, including Auerbacher and Ortenauer. Stanley plums were sourced from various Eastern European countries, contributing to the diverse available plum selection. The 2023 season is currently in full swing, evident from the robust demand and ample supply across the market.

Moldova's plum harvest is expected to rebound to 85 thousand metric tons (mt) in 2023, a return to normal levels following a weak 2022 season. The 2023 season kicked off strongly, with 17 thousand mt already exported in Jul-23 and Aug-23, an increase from 10.9 thousand mt in the same period in 2022. 66.7% of Moldova’s plum shipments (11.34 thousand mt) were destined for the European Union (EU) markets such as Germany, Austria, Croatia, and Great Britain. Moldova's plum exports predominantly feature varieties like Stanley, President, and Ranna Cacakska, renowned for their aroma and taste.

Investment in fruit quality, adherence to international standards, and assistance from development partners are driving Moldova's plum export success, with producers complying with GlobalGAP/GRASP and SMETA standards. Additionally, the EU's extension of import quotas and duties suspension for Moldovan fruits, including plums, further supports the country's access to foreign markets.

Growers in the Western Cape region in South Africa are closely monitoring potential frost damage following recent snow and icy rain. The cold weather had a significant impact, even extending to the Northern Cape, where cold winds caused damage to orchards. Experts indicate that fruit thinning is already underway in the early plum orchards of the Boland region.

Despite the challenging weather, South African plum orchards experienced an exceptional flowering season due to favorable conditions in Apr-23 and May-23. The favorable weather provided ample cold hours for the plum trees, resulting in an excellent flowering pattern with close synchronization among cultivars. However, experts note that flowering doesn't necessarily guarantee fruit set. Growers anticipate a clear picture of the upcoming harvest in the next two to three weeks.