'Bumper' crop of plums this year, says grower

WB Chambers say cheaper imports flooded the market and plum production became less profitable, therefore interest in growing the fruit declined

The UK plum industry has begun to recover from a "decades-long decline", with a bumper crop reported this year, a grower from Kent said.

Production peaked in 1987 at 28,900 tonnes, according to figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Due to lower yields and cheaper imports, the industry suffered, hitting its lowest point in 2008 with total production of just 2,500 tonnes.

James Miller, commercial director of Maidstone fruit grower WB Chambers, said the tide is turning, adding: "The quality of the fruit coming through right now, and the yield, is the best we've seen for ages."

Mr Miller said: "There is a real momentum growing within the plum industry again."

The UK's plum production area fell from 2,400 hectares (5,930 acres) in 1985 to 800 hectares (1,976 acres) in 2017 as growers turned to fruits with higher profitability.

"As cheaper imports flooded the market and plum production became less profitable, interest in growing the fruit dwindled," Mr Miller added.

"But we have 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 as well as this year's perfect growing conditions means it has doubled its production from 150 tonnes in 2024 to 300 tonnes this summer.

Tesco fruit category buying manager Simon Reeves said: "We are hearing similar reports from all our growers and main plum supplier that this has been the best harvest for about three years.

"The quality of 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 added new varieties of plum have a better shelf life that will help cut down on wastage.

Reported by PA Media