US fruit importer impressed by ‘unforgettable’ SA watermelon plums
Two executives from a leading American fruit growing and shipping company have just completed a visit to their new South African operation.
Delegates from Pacific Trellis Fruit have returned to the US after visiting their South African plum-growing partners.
Established in 1994, Pacific Trellis Fruit is one of North America’s leading year-round growers, shippers, and marketers of premium fresh fruits.
The company’s headquarters are in Fresno, California.
2023 marked the start of their stone fruit programme from South Africa.
Vice president of sourcing Marcial Hernandez and sales executive Patty Denson were recently introduced to some of South Africa’s remarkable plum varieties.
They spent a week touring orchards, inspecting packing facilities, and engaging with local growers to explore new innovations in stone fruit cultivation.
The visit further strengthened their Clamshell Plum programme, writes Fresh Plaza.
The programme features premium varieties such as Extra Sweet Plums, Lemon Plums, and the standout Watermelon Plum.
What is a Watermelon Plum?
This unique fruit is green-skinned like a watermelon, but with deep-red flesh. It left a lasting impression on the American visitors.
“One of my favorite items is the Watermelon Plum, which is green on the outside like a watermelon, but inside, it’s bursting with sweet, red flesh,” said Denson.
“Crisp yet juicy, with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, it’s an unforgettable bite when fully ripe!”
Denson noted that the Clamshell programme has been a great opportunity for retailers to expand sales in the imported stone fruit category.
The programme extends beyond plums, offering a selection of 10 premium stone fruit varieties. These include Extra Sweet Nectarines, Peaches, Apricots, and Cherry Plums.
“We partner with some of the best growers and packers to deliver top-tier stone fruit,” added Hernandez.
“Our program continues to thrive with excellent growers; Rubisco, Icon Fruit, Dibanisa, and CoreFruit, and we’re actively exploring new sourcing options to take it to the next level.”
