Plums

Commodity Overview

Plums and prunes are an important part of a well-rounded stone fruit display. Include them in larger stone fruit promotions to get them moving off the shelves during their peak season.

PLUs

4039 black, small
4040 black, large
4434 green, small
4435 green, large
4436 Italian prune
4437 purple, small
4438 purple, large
4041 red, small
4042 red, large
4439 tree-ripened, small
4440 tree-ripened, large
4441 yellow, small
4442 yellow, large
3278 inter-specific

Varieties

Plumcots

Red Plums

Yellow Plums

Black Plums

Italian Prune Plums

Retail Price Data is based on USDA Specialty Crops Market News surveys. Data collection ends on the report date and encompasses ad pricing good from the Saturday before the report release date through the following Friday. Weekly data - from over 400 retailers, comprising more than 30,000 individual stores with online weekly advertised features - covers over 250 produce items. Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

USDA Specialty Crops Market News publishes FOB and Movement data on a daily and weekly basis. Pricing and volume information is aggregated by commodity and published weekly, subject to any source-data adjustments. Commodity data is further processed based on origin (domestic vs imports) and type (regular vs. organic). Registered (logged-in) users, can access weekly reports and additional market information.

Facts

Plums offer up some great health benefits. They contain antioxidants that can help prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Other antioxidants in plums may help prevent heart disease. Plums contain phenols that can help prevent cancer. Plums are a good source of fiber, which aids in digestion.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following nutrient content descriptors for plums: low-fat, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free and high in vitamin C; these have been approved for prunes: fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, saturated fat-free, good source of vitamin A and a good source of fiber.

Sales Strategies

Plums can be cross-merchandised with canning supplies, bagged salads and jam-making sup-plies.
Plums are available in good supply from May to October, but they are available in more limited supply the rest of the year. Take advantage of peak season to move them off the shelves.
Fall: Include plums in back-to-school promotions as a great snack for the lunch box.
Winter: Add plums to holiday gift baskets and boxes.
Spring: Promote plums as a healthy snack or an addition to salads.
Summer: Promote plums as a great addition to summertime holiday parties. Remind consumers they make a great healthy snack for summertime outings.
Offer samples of each variety of plum so consumers can make an informed decision.

Dynamic Displays

Offer a variety of different plums that encompasses all three colors – red, black and purple. Clearly label each variety.
Include information on how to ripen plums at home on your display.
Include pluots in your display. The pluot is a hybrid variety, a cross between a plum and an apri-cot. Pluots have smooth skin like plums but are sweeter. They vary in color and variety and are generally available in August and September.
Plums can bruise and squash easily. Be careful when placing it on the display. Avoid stacking plums more than a layer or two high. Bruised fruit leads to a poor eating experience and may keep consumers from purchasing plums again.
Place plums in a larger display that includes nectarines, peaches and apricots. The larger display draws the consumer’s eye and can increase impulse purchases.

Food Service

Plums are a great taste in baked goods. Add it to pies and puddings.
Plum is a popular flavor in preserves, jellies and jams.
Add sliced plums to salads.
Include plums in sauces and glazes.
Use plums as a topping for ice cream.

In the Backroom

Shipping
Plums 28-lb. 1/2 bushel cartons 22-lb. cartons/lugs, 2-layer 18-lb. cartons/lugs, 2-layer tray pack (Chile) RPC — 6411, 6413, 6416 Pluots Standard plum packs 1-layer metric cartons Prunes 30-lb. 1/2-bushel cartons

Grades
U.S. fancy U.S. No. 1 U.S. combination U.S. No. 2

Handling
Temperature: shipping point and in-transit, 32 to 34 F (0 to 1 C); receivers, 51 to 77 F (10.5 to 25 C), pulp temperature Relative humidity: 90-95% Mist: no Typical shelf life: 14 to 28 days Ethylene producer Highly sensitive to freezing injury. (Likely to suffer injury by one light freezing.) Plums with a high soluble-solids content often keep better than those with low solids. A slight shrivel around the stem end is normal.