This year, the expectation of a plum shortage in the markets is based on real reasons and is already confirmed by farmers.
In the 2026 season, productivity has sharply decreased in many regions. While in previous years about 50 kg of produce was harvested from one tree, this year in some orchards this figure has dropped to 2-3 kg, and there are even trees with no produce at all. Moreover, some fruits are not brought to the market because they are of poor quality.
According to information from Medianews.az, farmer Ilgar Suleymanov told Milli.Az that the main reason for the shortage is unfavorable weather conditions.
"Early warming caused the trees to bloom quickly, and subsequent rain and hail damaged the blossoms, disrupting pollination. The decrease in bee activity weakened fertilization, and high humidity led to the spread of diseases and the rotting of fruits. Additionally, hail caused further damage to the fruits, reducing both quantity and quality."
The farmer stated that as a result, the supply of plums in the market has sharply dropped, which increases both the shortage and the prices.
"This year, the plum shortage in the markets directly affects prices. Compared to last year, there is at least a 2-3 manat difference per kilogram. Even as the season progresses, a significant price drop is not expected. Prices that used to drop to 2-3 manats in previous years will likely remain around 4-6 manats this year. The main reason for this is the low yield and the shortage of quality plums. Overall, this year, there will be fewer plums, and they will be sold at higher prices compared to previous years," he noted.