Progress in the development of equipment for producing pitted dried prunes for the grocery retail trade has included the design of conveyor rollers to orient the fruit lengthwise and the use of a six-bladed pitting knife capable of removing pits efficiently with little or no loss of fruit flesh. The pitted fruit dried in two-thirds less time and had a superior, fresh flavor and good storage qualities.

This Agricultural Experiment Station Project 2011 is sponsored by the California Prune Advisory Board.