UK plum sector rebounds, marking best harvest in three years

Tesco confirmed that plums are the store’s bumper crop this year, all thanks to new production methods as well as higher-yielding and bolder-tasting varieties. 

The future once again looks bright for an industry that dates all the way back to the times of King Henry VIII, when the first UK plum orchards were set up in Kent. 

One of the UK’s largest plum growers, WB Chambers, based in Maidstone, Kent, believes that the industry is now pulling out of the decline. 

The new varieties as well as this year’s perfect growing conditions mean the grower has doubled plum production from 150 tonnes in 2024 to 300 tonnes this year. 

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 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.” 

New varieties – future of industry

According to DEFRA figures, UK plum production hit its peak in 1987, with 28,900 tonnes being produced. 

It then fell into a sharp decline for a variety of reasons, with the main challenges being lower yields and therefore lower profitability compared to berries, cherries and apples, which meant that many growers switched production.

By 2008, the plum harvest hit its lowest point with a production total of only 2,500 tonnes. 

During this period, the UK’s plum production area fell from 2,400 hectares in 1985 to 800 hectares in 2017. 

WB Chambers commercial director James Miller added: “The UK used to have one of the most vibrant plum industries in Europe, and our orchards were known around the world for producing the classic Victoria variety. 

“As cheaper imports flooded the market and plum production became less profitable, interest in growing the fruit dwindled. But we have now invested in new rootstocks as well as modern farming systems such as automatic minimal irrigation and soil moisture analysis. 

“And with the new varieties we have been planting over the last few years, such as Top Hit, Top Taste, and Top End, we believe we have great quality plums that not only taste wonderful but also have a better shelf life that will help cut down on wastage. 

“And even better for the industry is that these varieties are better suited to the British climate, and that will help us extend the UK growing season.” 

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