The UK plum industry has begun to pull out of a "decades-long decline" with a bumper crop reported this year, marking a significant turnaround for British fruit growers. This summer's harvest is set to be the biggest in three years, according to industry experts.
Plum production in the UK hit its peak in 1987 with 28,900 tonnes being produced that year, according to Defra figures. Due to lower yields and cheaper imports, the industry then declined dramatically, hitting its lowest point in 2008 with total production of just 2,500 tonnes.
Industry shows real momentum
Since then, growers have adjusted to finding new plum varieties and modern farming systems. James Miller, commercial director at fruit grower WB Chambers, based in Maidstone, Kent, said the quality and yield is "the best we've seen for ages".
"The UK plum industry has now started to pull out of a decades-long decline and the quality of the fruit coming through right now, and the yield, is the best we've seen for ages," Miller said. "There is a real momentum growing within the plum industry again."
Production area dramatically reduced
The UK's plum production area fell from 2,400 hectares in 1985 to 800 hectares in 2017 as growers turned to fruits with higher profitability. Miller explained that cheaper imports had flooded the market, making plum production less profitable and causing interest in growing the fruit to dwindle.
However, the industry has now invested in new root stocks as well as modern farming systems such as automatic minimal irrigation and soil moisture analysis. WB Chambers said the new varieties combined with this year's perfect growing conditions means it has doubled its production from 150 tonnes in 2024 to 300 tonnes this summer.
Retailers report exceptional quality
Tesco fruit category buying manager Simon Reeves confirmed the positive trend across the industry. "We are hearing similar reports from all our growers and main plum supplier that this has been the best harvest for about three years," Reeves said.
"The quality of the British-grown plums arriving at our stores across the UK right now is easily the best we've seen for several years - plump, juicy and sweet." The grower also said new varieties of plum have a better shelf life that will help cut down on wastage.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
