For the first time at medFEL, table plum harvest forecasts for the upcoming season were presented. The production potential announced by the French Association of Plum Producers for 2024 is estimated at just under 50,000 tons. These forecasts, however, were drawn up before the "frost period,so we should still expect around ten days of physiological fall," according to Joël Boyer, president of the Association.
The Association of Plum Producers represents 28 members, 230 producers, a potential of 28 to 30,000 tons of table plums for the fresh market, 55% of the national production for the fresh market and three production basins (southwestern France 80%, Lorraine 15% and Southeast 5%). In 2024, the governance of the Association will evolve, with the establishment of a co-presidency. Jérôme Capel, an arboriculturist based in Tarn-et-Garonne since 2014, will join Joël Boyer.
"80% of the volumes of a normal year"
After two very difficult years due to frost (2021 and 2022), plums recovered in 2023 with a good year in terms of volumes and quality. For 2024, "we are at 80% of the volumes of a normal year," according to the Association.
For the Southwest (67% of the national supply and 80% of the Association's supply), 2024 is a "very early" year (2 weeks ahead of the Japanese American and 1 week ahead for the Reine Claude). The first plums are expected to arrive around the 15th of June (compared with the usual late June). For the Grand-Est basin (11% of the national supply and 15% of the Association's supply), "we are heading towards full production potential, particularly for the mirabelle plums." Finally, the Southeast of France (14% of the national supply and 5% of the Association's supply) should see a full Reine-Claude harvest.
The Plum Association adapts its charter and joins Eco-responsible Orchards
In 2024, the French Association of Plum Producers is developing its integrated fruit production charter: protection of pollinators and biodiversity, precision irrigation, more economical management of inputs, ecological infrastructures in orchards…. The Association has therefore asked to join the Eco-responsible Orchards initiative (a request officially made to ANPP). "After a test year, plums should join apples, pears, peaches, nectarines and apricots in 2025."