Chilean Purple Honey plums (Sweet Pekeetah), a new plum variety bred by the University of Chile, have entered the Chinese market for the first time. With high sweetness (20°Bx), large size (140g), and excellent cold storage tolerance, this plum variety is set to appeal to Chinese consumers. As demand for diverse plum varieties grows, professional grading solutions – such as Fstsort’s plum grader for diameter or weight sorting – become essential for packhouses and exporters to deliver consistent, high-quality produce.
On April 9, a cargo ship from Chile arrived at the HIT terminal in Hong Kong. This marked not only the first arrival of Purple Honey plums in the Chinese market but also the global launch of this new plum variety. Developed by the University of Chile after more than a decade of breeding, Purple Honey (also known as Sweet Pekeetah) represents a breakthrough among plum varieties, offering a unique combination of high sweetness, crisp texture, and excellent storability.
What Makes This Plum Variety Stand Out?
Unlike most Chilean plums, which are traditionally imported from the United States and Europe, Purple Honey plums are bred from an Asian plum variety. This gives them a distinctive violet rind, a crispy texture, and exceptional sweetness. With an average weight of 140g per fruit — significantly larger than common plums — and a sugar content of 20°Bx (compared to 15°Bx for Angeleno and 14°Bx for Black Kat), this plum variety is well-positioned to appeal to Chinese consumers who value both flavor and size.
In addition to its taste advantages, Purple Honey plum blossoms and ripens late, allowing it to avoid peak competition from other plum varieties on the market. Its ability to maintain outstanding quality after 60 days or more in cold storage also ensures a longer sales window.
The Growing Chinese Market for Chilean Plum Varieties
China has become the dominant destination for Chilean plums. In 2025, 96.2% of Chilean fresh plums were shipped to China, reaching 47,540 metric tons valued at approximately US$100 million. For the 2026 season, shipments are projected to reach 49,387 metric tons. By early 2026, fresh plum exports had already reached 16,000 tons, with 64% destined for the Chinese market.
As demand for diverse plum varieties continues to grow — from Candy Red and Sweet Mary to Angeleno and Black Kat — the need for efficient post-harvest processing becomes increasingly critical. Uniform sizing is essential for both retail presentation and export compliance. Fstsort offers professional grading solutions for all plum varieties. The plum grader can sort plums by diameter (roller grader, 4–6 t/h, 3–6 grades) or by weight (electronic weight sorter, ±2g accuracy, up to 100,000 pcs/h, 9–16 exits), with optional inspection and packing tables.
Whether you are handling Purple Honey, Angeleno, D'Agen, or other plum varieties, proper grading ensures consistent quality and maximizes market value. Learn more about our plum and apricot grading solutions.
Looking Ahead
With China's appetite for premium imported fruits showing no signs of slowing, and Chile's stone fruit exports projected to increase by 12% in the 2025–2026 season, new plum varieties like Purple Honey are poised to capture growing consumer interest. As the market for plum varieties continues to expand, professional grading and packing solutions will play a key role in helping importers and packhouses deliver consistent, high-quality produce to Chinese consumers.