Ruqayyah Snyder
Plums are cultivated in various areas across Australia, with each region offering unique growing conditions suited to different plum varieties. The majority of plums produced in Australia are grown in the southern states, particularly in Victoria, where more than half of the production occurs in the Goulburn Valley. Other regions that produce plums include Young and Orange in New South Wales, southwestern Western Australia, and Queensland. The peak season for plums varies across these regions, with southern areas like Victoria and Tasmania experiencing late summer and early autumn as peak season, while northern areas like Queensland and New South Wales have peak seasons in late spring to early summer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plum production in Australia | 27,347 tonnes |
| Value of plum production | $75.7 million |
| Wholesale value | $61.0 million |
| Retail value | $56.0 million |
| Food service value | $5.0 million |
| Supply per capita | 563 grams |
| Percentage of Australian families that purchased plums | 26% |
| Average purchase quantity | 557 grams |
| Main production region | Victoria |
| Other production regions | Young, Orange, Perth |
| Plum types | Japanese, European, freestone, clingstone |
| Japanese plum varieties | Blood plums (Satsuma, Mariposa), Santa Rosa, Gulf Ruby |
| European plum characteristics | Skin colour varies from green to yellow to deep blue |
| Feral plum regions | NSW, Victoria, South Australia, southwestern Western Australia |
| Feral plum types | Cherry plums |
| Illawarra plum regions | East coast of Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Plum varieties grown in Australia
Plums are cultivated in various areas across Australia, with each region offering unique growing conditions suited to different plum varieties. The majority of plums that are produced in Australia are grown in the southern states, particularly in Victoria, in the Goulburn Valley. Some of the other regions that produce plums include Young and Orange in New South Wales, and Perth in Western Australia.
In Australia, plums are classified as either Japanese or European varieties. Japanese plums are usually larger than European types and most have red skins. Japanese varieties include the blood plums (such as the red-fleshed Satsuma and Mariposa), the yellow-fleshed, tart-flavoured Santa Rosa, and the Gulf Ruby. The Burbank is another Japanese plum variety, with yellow flesh and red skin. It is medium-sized and has an excellent flavour, tolerating cold and low chill climates well. The Santa Rosa is a good quality, large-sized plum with crimson to purple skin and mildly sweet inner flesh. The Satsuma is a round, medium-sized plum with red to dark red skin and red inner flesh.
The European varieties have skin colours ranging from green to yellow to deep blue. Their flesh is usually yellow and sweet. The Green Gage is a European variety that was introduced to Europe as far back as the 15th century, making it one of the oldest varieties. It has greenish-yellow skin and a sweet flavour. Another European variety is the Robe de Sergeant, which is a 'prune plum' with a deep purple skin and sweet, juicy flesh.
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Plum production and value
Plums are predominantly grown in the southern states of Australia, with over half of the country's production occurring in Victoria, particularly in the Goulburn Valley. Other plum-producing regions include Young, Orange, and Perth in Western Australia. Australia's unique growing conditions in various areas, such as the fertile valleys of Victoria and the sun-drenched orchards of Queensland, contribute to the production of high-quality plums.
Plum growers in Australia face the challenge of unfavourable weather patterns, such as frost or excessive rainfall, which can impact production and availability. To mitigate these risks, growers employ protective measures to ensure a consistent supply of plums. The peak season for plums varies across regions, with southern areas like Victoria and Tasmania experiencing late summer and early autumn as the peak, while northern areas like Queensland and New South Wales have earlier ripening plums, peaking in late spring to early summer.
In 2020, Australia produced over 27,347 tonnes of plums, valued at $75.7 million. The wholesale value of the fresh supply was approximately $61.0 million, with $56.0 million distributed to retail and $5.0 million allocated for food service. The average supply per capita was 563 grams, and 26% of Australian families purchased this moderately popular fruit, buying around 557 grams per shopping trip.
Plum production in Australia involves sustainable farming practices, including organic cultivation methods, water conservation, and biodiversity conservation. These practices ensure the long-term viability of plum orchards and promote environmental stewardship. Australian plums are classified as Japanese or European varieties, with differences in size, skin colour, and flesh characteristics. Japanese varieties, such as blood plums, tend to have red skins and larger sizes, while European varieties exhibit a range of skin colours from green to yellow to deep blue, with sweet yellow flesh.
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Plum growing regions in Australia
Plums are cultivated in various regions across Australia, with each region offering unique growing conditions suited to different plum varieties. The majority of plums produced in Australia are grown in the southern states, particularly in Victoria, where more than half of the country's plum production occurs in the Goulburn Valley. Other notable plum-growing regions in Australia include Young and Orange in New South Wales, as well as Perth in Western Australia.
Victoria's fertile valleys provide an ideal environment for plum cultivation, and the state is known for its high-quality fruit. The southern regions of Australia, including Victoria and Tasmania, typically experience a later plum season, with the fruit peaking in late summer and extending into early autumn. This is in contrast to the northern areas, such as Queensland and New South Wales, where plums ripen earlier, with peak availability in late spring to early summer.
In addition to the cultivated varieties, feral plums can be found growing wild in various parts of Australia. These are often found along the rural roads of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and southwestern Western Australia. Feral plums are usually smaller and can be sharp in taste, but they are loved by many for their vitality and unique characteristics.
One unique variety of plum native to Australia is the Illawarra Plum (Podocarpus elatus), which is a rainforest species endemic to the east coast of the country. Illawarra Plums produce a pulpy, grape-like fruit that is perfect for eating raw or making jams and jellies. They are also used in sauces, preserves, muffins, cheesecakes, and fruit compotes. Illawarra Plum trees can grow up to 8-12 meters in height and are slow-growing, making them suitable for pots and hedges.
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Feral plums in Australia
Plums are cultivated in various areas across Australia, with each region offering unique growing conditions suited to different plum varieties. The majority of plums produced in Australia are grown in the southern states, particularly in Victoria. However, feral plums, or wild plums, can be found in various locations across the country.
Feral plums are runaway fruit trees that have established themselves in public areas. They are commonly found along the rural roads of New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, South Australia, and southwestern Western Australia. These feral plums are typically smaller than their cultivated counterparts and can be sharp and damaged by pests and the elements. However, they retain the vitality and flavour of wild plants.
The most common feral plum variety found in NSW is the cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera), which can be red or yellow when ripe and is approximately 2-3 cm across. Cherry plums are part of the Rose family (Rosaceae) and are closely related to peaches, cherries, apricots, and almonds. These trees can grow up to 3-4 meters tall and form thick bushes with several branches sprouting from the ground.
Feral plums are a popular treat for those who enjoy foraging and embracing the seasonality of fruits in Australia. Foragers can use maps, such as the Australia Virtual Herbarium, to locate these wild plum trees and plan their harvesting adventures. The stone fruits, including feral plums, prefer the temperate-cool environment of southeastern Australia and the area south of Perth.
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Illawarra plums
The fruit of the Illawarra plum tree has a grape-like texture and a sweet, mild pine flavour that can be enhanced by cooking. The fruit is made up of two segments: a hard, inedible seed and a large, fleshy purple-black berry. Illawarra plums are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, dietary fibre, and essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. They can be eaten raw or cooked and are commonly used in sauces, preserves, muffins, cheesecakes, and fruit compotes.
The Illawarra plum tree has shiny, narrow, tough, dark green leaves with sharp tips. The seed cones are dark blue-purple and berry-like, with a fleshy base bearing a single seed. The Illawarra plum is prized not only for its fruit but also for its timber, which has been used for furniture, joinery, boat planking, and lining in saltwater environments.
The peak season for Illawarra plums is between March and July. They can grow in full sun or partial shade and are slow-growing trees that can be kept in pots and pruned to maintain their size. Illawarra plums are a popular bush food, valued by both Aboriginal people and European colonists.
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Frequently asked questions
Plums are cultivated in various areas across Australia, with the majority being grown in the southern states, specifically in Victoria. They are also grown in Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, and Perth.
In Australia, plums are classified as either Japanese or European varieties. Japanese plums are usually larger and have red skins, while European plums have skin colours ranging from green to yellow to deep blue. Illawarra Plums are another variety that is endemic to the east coast of Australia.
The peak season for plums varies across different regions of Australia. In southern regions like Victoria and Tasmania, plum season peaks in late summer and extends into early autumn. In northern areas like Queensland and New South Wales, plums ripen earlier, with peak availability in late spring to early summer.
