The Institute of Rural Development (IDR) has released the Adjusted Plum Harvest Forecast 2015-2016. The assessment, carried out in January, points to an expected fresh production amounting to 127,191 tonnes. The estimations in November 2015 pointed to 126,708 tonnes, so no major changes are observed.
This update was made in order to quantify the falling of fruits from D'Agen trees as a result of climatic or physiological factors. 47% of the plots used for the harvest forecast carried out in November have been used as a sample for this adjustment.
In recent seasons, losses have been recorded in the production of plums for drying prior to the harvest. This phenomenon is the result of several factors, but the most important overall is the impact of red spot.
Losses from hail, wind and other factors, such as cultural practices, are also quantified in the report; the data show that, in the East, 43% was lost because of red spot, 33% due to hail and 24% because of other factors.
In the South, the losses caused by red spot reached 55%, while hail accounted for 28% and other factors for another 16%.
This is a vitally important piece of information for producers, processors, wholesalers, exporters, state planning agencies and all those sectors that in one way or another are involved in the plum sector.
Source: Prensa Gobernación