The Institute of Rural Development (IDR) in Argentina's Mendoza province has revised down plum production estimates by 48%.

An IDR representative attributed the lower volumes to fruit falling off trees in December, which was likely due to red spot, mostly with the D'agen European variety.

The representative told www.freshfruitportal.com the new forecast stands at 50,611MT compared to the initial 96,636MT.

The IDR reported a 27% fall in the fruit load in the province's eastern zone, while in the south - the province's largest planting area - the fall was 43%.

The representative said the large loss in plums, which were mostly for industrial use, was not just due to red spot but also hail damage. However, technicians found that crops with anti-hail netting showed no loss in production.

One company told website Losandes.com.ar that Mendoza's plum growers had become very concerned, as a fall like this makes commercialization difficult in a time when growers are trying to strengthen the industry.

www.freshfruitportal.com