Apricots Market Update 05.11.26
Stronger Supply Drives Higher Exports and Softer Prices
The Turkish dried apricot market has entered the 2026/27 season with significantly improved supply conditions following the frost-affected crop of 2025. Recovery in production has supported a sharp increase in export activity. However, product availability has placed downward pressure on prices.
By the third week of October 2026, Türkiye had exported approximately 16,000 metric tonnes of dried apricots. This is an increase of 88.2% compared with the 8,500 metric tonnes exported during the same period last season. At the same time, average export prices eased by 17%, falling from US$8,721/MT to US$7,234/MT. This combination of stronger export volumes and lower pricing reflects a market that is considerably better supplied than a year ago.
Industry estimates suggest that dried apricot production in Malatya, the world’s leading apricot-growing region, has reached around 80,000 metric tonnes in 2026. The larger crop has improved overall product availability and created a more competitive buying environment for importers, wholesalers, and food manufacturers.
However, increased production does not mean all product specifications are equally available. Market participants report that larger calibres are currently more readily available. Supply conditions for other sizes and quality grades remain mixed. As a result, pricing trends continue to vary between different calibre ranges, processing grades, and end-use requirements.
Looking ahead, the direction of the dried apricot market will depend on several key factors. These include export demand, the speed at which stock moves into commercial distribution channels, and the balance between premium and standard quality grades. While the larger crop is expected to support market liquidity and pricing stability, availability and values may continue to differ across individual specifications.
