The area devoted to plum cultivation in Argentina continues to increase and currently exceeds 12,000 hectares, which are mainly concentrated in the provinces of Mendoza and Rio Negro.
The industry packages and preserves the fresh fruit to market it in the domestic market; and produces preserves, pulps and juices, jams, jellies and dried fruit (with and without stone), to export abroad.
Argentine plum production is strengthened by the actions implemented by Senasa's National Program for the Control and Eradication of Fruit Flies (Procem). Senasa carries out monitoring, prevention, and control actions to reduce the impact that one of the most economically negative pests has on Argentina's fruit and vegetable sector.
In addition, Senasa is in charge of regulating the production chain, registering and enabling industrial and packaging plants, as well as regulating the necessary conditions for the conditioning and processing of the fruit. This allowed Argentina to position itself as the southern hemisphere's main plum producer and the world's third-largest producer of dried plum. In fact, during 2020, Argentina exported more than 15,000 tons of dried plums to Brazil, Chile, and Russia, mainly.
This fruit, which is rich in water, vitamins, and has low-calorie content, is harvested in the months of February and March, which is why the National Agricultural Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa) is recommending its consumption.
Source: infocampo.com.ar