08/25/2008
Oregon's early Italian prune harvest got underway over the Aug. 9-10 weekend in Milton-Freewater, with growers expecting to see a 30 percent reduction in volume this year as the result of spring frost and a lack of pollination.

The late prune harvest follows within a couple of weeks and will run through mid-September, according to Eric Patrick, marketing director for Grant J. Hunt Co., exclusive sales and marketing desk for Blue Mountain Growers in Milton-Freewater.

The grower-shipper packs prunes in 30-pound bulk boxes, two-pound bags and clamshells, all under the "Blue Goose" label.

According to Mr. Patrick, Milton-Freewater is one of the larger prune- growing regions. "We expect to harvest around 90,000 total boxes," Mr. Patrick said in a press release. "Italian prunes had seen market share and shelf space diminish for many years as their niche market of canning and preserving customers was dwindling. Over the past several years, though, thanks to food magazines and the various food networks and cooking shows, Italian prunes are experiencing a slight 'rebirth' in popularity. Their flesh turns a beautiful color when cooked, making for a great food presentation, and the deep purple skin is packed with antioxidants."

Mr. Patrick noted that Italian prunes are truly a seasonal item, with production "essentially limited in the Northwest from mid-August to mid- September."