4040 Plums

"Sweet treats in every bite"

Plums are a juicy, sweet stone fruit often enjoyed fresh or used in jams and baked goods.

Also known as: Prunes, Japanese plum, Chinese plum

Botanical name: Prunus spp.

Quick Facts

PLU Code

4040 (4-digit conventional)

Category & Size

Fruits › Plums › Large

Origin

Native to China and Asia, with many commercial varieties cultivated in the United States, Europe, and Australia

Storage Temperature

0°C to 0.5°C

Shelf Life

1 to 6 months at 0°C to 0.5°C

Status

Approved

About Plums

With many varieties available, plums can range in color from yellow and green to red, purple, and black. The flesh of the plum surrounds a hard stone, or pit, which contains a single seed.

Nutrition Information

The nutrition facts for plums are as follows: One 100g serving of plums contains 46 kilocalories of energy, 11g of carbohydrates, 1.3g of dietary fiber, 0.7g of protein, and 0.3g of fat. They also contain various essential vitamins and minerals such as 6.6 milligrams of vitamin C, 2.6 micrograms of vitamin K, 4.6 milligrams of potassium, and 0.1 milligrams of copper, among others.

Storage & Handling

Maintain consistent refrigeration to minimize ripening and spoilage. Plums should be pre-cooled before storage. High CO2 atmosphere inhibits ethylene production, and extended shelf life. Therefore, controlled atmosphere or modified atmosphere packaging are the best choices.

Optimal Storage Conditions:

Temperature: 0°C to 0.5°C

Humidity: 90% to 95%

Packaging: Modified atmosphere packaging, maintain oxygen levels at 2% and carbon dioxide levels at 2% to 5%. A packaging density that maintains air space of about 1% around the commodity.

Shelf Life: 1 to 6 months at 0°C to 0.5°C

Storage Notes: Minimize bruising and impacts. Control pest infestations by integrated pest management principles. Use plastic films or bags as liners for packaging to prevent moisture accumulation and, improve freshness.

Related Produce

Commodity Details

Commodity Key:

plums

Variety:

Black (Includes Ambra, Black Beaut, Prima Black, Blackamber, Black Torch, Catalina, Challenger, Black Diamond, Friar, Royal Diamond, Black Knight, Freedom, Black Flame, Howard Sun, Angeleno)

Created:

December 1999

Last Updated:

December 2023

PLU Code Reference

4-digit codes: Conventionally grown produce

5-digit codes starting with 9: Organic produce

5-digit codes starting with 8: Originally intended for GMO (rarely used)

PLU codes streamline checkout processes, improve inventory management, and provide consistency across different stores. The system was developed by the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS).

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