GROWERS are reporting Denbigh Plum harvest down by up to 90% this year - but the Denbigh Plum Feast will still go ahead.

Poor weather has affected the blooming of the plum trees and the insects that pollinate them - leading to significantly fewer of Wales' only native plum appearing this year.

Farmer Gareth Roberts, who owns Llaeth Y Llan Village Dairy has a large orchard of 80 Denbigh Plum trees and says this year has been poor.

"In 2023 we harvested around 200kg of plums, it was a really good year,"" he said. "This year we've had maybe 20kg.

"The weather has been terrible. We are in the driest part of Wales and where our land is is perfect for growing Denbigh Plums. But when the bad weather comes it comes hard and this year has been particularly bad.

EXPLAINER: What is a Denbigh Plum?

"It not only affected the plums, it affected the insects who pollenate the plants too. I had four beehives ready this year but three of them have died. What's more I've barely seen a wasp this year.

"Too much rain at the wrong time and not enough sun has a serious impact on the harvest. Fortunately we had about 60kg left over in deep freeze from last year, so we have enough for the local agricultural shows and the Plum Feast."

It is a problem that has had an effect across the Vale of Clwyd, the geographical location where true Denbigh Plums are grown.

"We've noticed that there have been barely any plums in our orchard this year," said Rob Cryne, supported Project Lead at Denbigh's ReSource CIC. The social and environmental non-profit has a 10-tree orchard of Denbigh Plums at it's Cae Dai Community Garden.

"The weather has not been great this year and it has had a noticeable effect on the yield. The lack of sun in particular has been a problem."

Around Denbigh those who have supported the survival of this proudly native fruit have noticed the shortage.

On Facebook user Kate Elizabeth said: "It's a shocker: 2 plums from 2 trees." 

Trefor Roberts said: "very few on my tree", while TV archaeologist Erin Lloyd Jones said: "We haven't had any."

Other commenters with one or two trees said they had had sometimes just one plum or none at all.  

Despite the poor harvest however, Denbigh Plum Feast will go full steam ahead on Saturday, October 5 according to Peter Jones, Chairman of the Denbigh Plum Group.

"After a bumper year last year we had terrible weather at a key time for the plums," he said. "Early in the season we had a cold, wet spell which meant fewer blooms. Add to that the lack of pollinators and you get this situation.

"Fortunately ourselves and a number of producers had surplus last year and were able to deep-freeze what remained. It's not ideal as an ingredient for things like chocolate, but if you're making jam, chutney, beer or bread the frozen plums still work well.

"It's not ideal but it's better than having no plums and we definitely have enough for the Denbigh Plum Feast next month."

This year's feast will feature the usual craft stalls and produce plus demonstrations by foraging chef Rob Dowell-Brown from Nant y Felin Restaurant and bar in Denbigh and Owen Davies of Eryri's Real Funguy Mushrooms.