Global prune output is under threat as growers turn to nut production instead.
The International Prune Association (IPA) warns that after several years of unsustainable pricing brought on by over-planting in South America, prune growers in France, California, Chile and Argentina may not continue unless there is a significant increase in market pricing for 2013.
The IPA estimates that 10 per cent of global prune acreage, some 12,000 hectares, has been either removed or abandoned in the last two years, with many of the orchards being converted to either walnuts or almonds. There is growing demand for these crops in Asia, Russia and elsewhere in eastern Europe as well as for pistachios. All three lines promise better returns for growers than prunes have been delivering.
A spokeswoman for the association said: “All major producing countries must deal with the current economic sustainability issue with prunes.”
The association reports that packers in California are already reacting to the market and one is increasing prices to retail customers by about 10 per cent in the US and more modestly to those in European countries Germany, Italy, Denmark, Norway, and Finland.
Representatives of independent growers say this is not enough, and have announced their need for a 13 per cent price increase to become viable. Their cause will be aided by recent government surveys and statistics showing inventories 13 per cent below last year and the 2012 crop, now being harvested, which appears to be five per cent smaller than forecast.
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