Prune Crop Up 40%, but Short of Normal

YUBA CITY, CA May 30, 2008 – Favorable weather conditions during bloom boosted expectations for a good crop after last year’s meager harvest for prune farmers. Unfortunately, a late season frost on April 20 caused some of the developing fruit to fall off. Recent crop survey results show that the impact of the frost was widespread, but severe damage was limited to lower lying areas and cold pockets. The Prune Bargaining Association (PBA) conducted the crop surveys to determine the extent of the damage. 

Nearly 50 farmers responded to the PBA crop survey, representing 8,000 acres of prune trees. On average, they expect production to be up about 37% from last year. “The trouble is that production was less than 60% of normal last year so the projected increase gets us to only 80% of a normal crop,” explained Greg Thompson, General Manager of the Association. This is hard news for an industry that is seeing positive sales growth after experiencing a series of crop disasters.

Respondents reported that 7% of the acreage suffered severe frost damage with near total crop loss. ‘If that percentage is representative of the main growing area,’ says Thompson, ‘it would mean about 3,500 acres were wiped out. In dollar terms, that amounts to over 12 million dollars in crop loss, not counting the acreage that suffered light to moderate damage.’ 

Any shortfall in production is not welcome. Prunes, or dried plums, are one of the most affordable dried fruits, high in soluble fiber and antioxidants. ‘At a time when Americans need quick and convenient ways to increase their fruit and vegetable intake, we need more prunes, not less,’ says Thompson. ‘Doctors are telling us that Dried Plums are an excellent aid to digestive health and they are actually a low calorie way to satisfy a sweet tooth.”

The Prune Bargaining Association was formed in 1968 as a grower-owned cooperative to improve the economy of the California prune industry, encourage the production of a quality product and provide a forum for growers to exchange ideas regarding the industry. The PBA establishes the industry’s raw product price for prunes.