The timing of the season depends heavily on geography and altitude:
A helpful shopper's guide:
You'll find diverse types like the deep red "Santa Rosa" or the "Kala Amritsar," each varying in sweetness and tang. A Different Kind of "Plum" plum season in india
Plums are highly perishable. Unlike apples, which can be stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores for months, plums have a shelf life of 3 to 7 days at room temperature. This perishability dictates the market dynamics. During peak season, there is often a market glut, leading to a crash in prices. Farmers often prioritize speed over profit, selling to pre-harvest contractors to avoid the risk of spoilage. The timing of the season depends heavily on
It is crucial to distinguish commercial plums from their wild relatives. In the hills, wild plum species ( Prunus cerasifera or cherry plum) grow abundantly. Known locally as Aloo Bukhara or simply Metha , these small, sometimes tart fruits are harvested by rural communities. They are not typically exported to metropolitan markets but serve as a vital source of nutrition and income for local villagers, often sold along roadsides to tourists. This perishability dictates the market dynamics
To mitigate the risks of a glut and spoilage, the processing sector plays a pivotal role. Plums are extensively processed into: