Apricots market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The apricot market in Western Asia displayed fluctuating trends between 2018 and 2023. Market volume in physical terms reached a high of 1 064 thousand tons in 2019 before declining to 965 thousand tons by 2023. In value terms, the market expanded from 1 177 million US dollars in 2018 to a peak of 1 561 million US dollars in 2021, then contracted to 1 306 million US dollars in 2023.

Domestic production volumes remained relatively stable, hovering between 1 001 and 1 089 thousand tons per year. Over the same period, exports grew notably from 51 thousand tons in 2018 to 84 thousand tons in 2022, reflecting increased external demand, while imports stayed at a modest level, indicating the market's reliance on local supply.

Production apricots in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of apricots, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Asia produced 1 053 K t of apricots, marking a modest decline of 3.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 14.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 001 K t, which saw the largest decline of 18.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Asia's apricot production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 435 M $ US, showing a moderate uptick of 6.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.4%. The minimum value occurred in 2018 at 1 203 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 9.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports apricots from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, apricot shipments from Western Asia to abroad increased. In 2020, exports totaled 54 086 t, representing a limited increase of 8.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 9.4%, with an annualized rate of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 49 861 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, apricot exports in kind from Western Asia were distributed across many countries. Russia accounted for 35.4% of exports, Germany for 4.3%, and Romania for 2.4%, jointly making up 42.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Asia's apricot export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 73 671 K $ US, which is 19.5% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 13.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 61 504 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Russia was the primary buyer of apricots from Western Asia, accounting for 40.5% of exports in value terms, followed by Germany at 9.3% and Romania at 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented 53.2% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Western Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports apricots to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Western Asia's apricot imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 27 258 t, showing a moderate increase of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 5.3%, with an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 18 943 t, which experienced the largest decline of 26.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 31.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Iran led apricot imports in kind to Western Asia with 16.5%, followed by South Africa at 3.4% and Australia at 0.9%. Together, these countries accounted for 20.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of apricot imports to Western Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 49 951 K $ US, corresponding to a modest increase of 9.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value surged by 50.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 14.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, apricots were supplied to Western Asia from a broad set of markets. Iran accounted for 21.0% of imports in value terms, South Africa for 8.7%, and Australia for 4.6%, together making up 34.4% of total imports. The remaining 65.6% came from many smaller destinations.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Western Asia in value, 2017-2020