Prune packers forced to turn to more expensive imports

Californian dried prune packers and processors have had to import higher priced exports following local prune shortages. For the second consecutive year, California prune growers have suffered poor harvests and this has resulted in a dramatic rise in imports. Already this year, the average price paid for imported prunes is about 15 percent higher than in 2004. Dried prunes are imported mainly from Argentina, France and Chile, with nearly 60 percent coming from South America.