Production of dried plums in Skopelos Island

Plums are cultivated in several areas around Greece for fresh or dried fruit production. Dried plums are one of the most economically important fruits in Greece along with figs, raisin and apricots. Main plum cultivars which are well established in Greece for dried fruit production are: 'Stanley', 'President' and 'Skopelou'. Skopelos plum (bud mutations of 'Agen') introduced to Skopelos island at the beginning of 1900s and until 1960s has been the source of the island prosperity. Τhe rural economy of Skopelos is now fully dependent on the tourism industry, however, the last years the financial crisis led many people to agricultural sector and to traditional cultures. Plum orchards exist in the island but are less extensive than in the 1960s. Producers use a traditional method for fruit processing which is costly and labour intensive but the overall quality of the final product is excellent. Taking into account the economic advantages of the plum culture, fruit processing potentiality and its nutritional value, plums could be an extremely dynamic crop for Skopelos.