Based on a survey of dried plum growers conducted by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2019 crop forecast is calling for a significant increase in tonnage from last year. With harvest on the horizon, forecast numbers show a total of 110,000 tons for 2019; which is a 38 percent increase from the 80,000-ton forecast from last year. Total bearing acreage for 2019 is largely unchanged from the previous year, with an estimated 44,000 acres.
The French prune variety accounts for nearly all of the dried plum acreage grown in California. The 2019 dried plum season has had generally good growing conditions. A fairly successful bloom period has resulted in producers describing a good fruit set and strong crop. The survey was conducted using a random sampling design based on total dried plum acreage for each operator, with 185 growers responding.
Listen to the report below.
About the Author
