Premium Plum Harvest Shrinks for Third Straight Year Despite Larger Fruit

Jun 07, 2026 | News On Japan

Wakayama, Jun 07, 2026 - The harvest of Nanko plums, a specialty product of Minabe Town in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan's largest ume-producing region, has reached its peak, with farmers busy gathering the highly prized fruit despite another disappointing crop year.

Nanko plums, one of Japan's most popular varieties for making pickled plums, were developed in 1950 through breeding efforts led by a teacher at Minabe High School.

This year's crop was affected by a warm winter that hindered pollination, resulting in fewer fruit being produced. Hail damage in early spring further reduced yields, and Wakayama Prefecture's total harvest is expected to reach only about 27,000 tons, roughly half of a normal year. The shortfall would mark the third consecutive year of poor harvests.

However, the smaller number of fruit allowed each plum to grow larger than usual, with many reaching the size of a ping-pong ball. Farmers throughout the region are working intensively to bring in the crop.

"Ume has many benefits, including helping prevent heatstroke and aiding recovery from fatigue, so I hope people will make good use of it," said plum grower Takumi Ishibashi.

The harvest will continue until late June, with Nanko plums being shipped to markets across Japan.

Source: KTV NEWS

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