The South African plum industry has seen the weak economic climate in the UK and Europe and extreme weather conditions slow down demand this season.
Spokesman Stephan Conradie told the industry's marketing forum that prices of South African plums sold in punnets have declined by 40 per cent at retail level this year when compared with the previous season.
He also noted that the industry could take advantage of an opening in the form of Chilean plums. 'The quality problems which are currently being experienced with Chilean fruit may present some opportunities for us,' he said.
Mr Conradie also confirmed that South African plum exports to the Middle East have dropped significantly compared with the previous season. 'We have shipped 34 per cent less plums to the Middle East this year and this is specifically due to lower exports of red plums,' he explained. 'Due to the economic climate in the Middle East, the demand for plums has turned negative.'
The latest stonefruit crop forecast indicated that South Africa would still export more plums this season than last season, despite the current economic climate. The total volume for stonefruit exports is estimated at 12.7m cartons, with plums contributing 8.7m cartons, nectarines 1.9m cartons, apricots just over 1m cartons and peaches 938,000 cartons.
The stonefruit harvest concludes in March.
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