plum

" Plums (Prunus salicina) are mainly used for fresh consumption and not for drying. Plums are also used for canning, freezing, and jam and jelly making. World consumption of plums currently exceeds 9 million tons, with over half of world consumption and production in China. The rapid emergence of China as a market within the last 10 years has been a key factor behind the industry’s expansion in Australia, and South Africa and Chile. Total world production of plums has doubled in the five years to 2001, with exports now exceeding $250m US dollars per annum. In CY 2005, fresh plum consumption was at 24100 MT, up sharply on the previous year, and plum had minor growth in China at 1.05 MMT. As production and quality improve, China exported more and imported less stone fruit in this marketing year."