Plums

Key Requirements

Land	Medium
Labor	High
Capital	Medium

Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.

Markets

Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands
- CSA
Value-Added
Local Grocery
Auction

Pests & Disease

Brown rot, bacterial spot, black knot, and plum pockets occur routinely in Kentucky. Insect pest include oriental fruit moth, plum curculio, brown marmorated stink bugs and borers. Rabbits, mice and deer will eat the bark and are especially problematic during establishment season.

$9150 Cost per Acre

Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.

$3000-4000 Returns per Acre

Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.

Challenges

Can be a risky endeavor because trees frequently suffer losses when a spring freeze occurs during bloom.

Market is limited.

Plum production requires considerable hand labor for pruning, thinning, and harvesting fruit.

Opportunities

Best grown commercially only as a secondary fruit crop or as part of a diversified farming operation.