Dried apricots market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

The Australian dried apricot market opened the period at 5 289 t in 2018, supported by growing consumer preference for organic and locally sourced healthy snacks. However, volume contracted to 4 535 t in 2019 as the industry continued its long-term investment in new apricot varieties through the National Apricot Breeding Program to improve future quality and yields.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased demand for healthy shelf-stable foods like dried apricots, boosting online sales and driving market volume up to 5 228 t. Subsequently, the market corrected sharply, falling to 3 632 t in 2021 as producers faced intensified competition from imported products, particularly from Turkey.

From 2022 to 2023, the market stabilized around 3 700 t. During this time, Australian exporters sharply refocused on the domestic market, with exports plummeting 83.55% between 2019 and 2023. Marketing increasingly emphasized premium local and organic credentials, while the National Apricot Breeding Program's work on new, sweeter varieties aimed to bolster the competitiveness of domestic production.

Production dried apricots in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Globally, Australia ranked as the 14th largest producer of dried apricots during the 2018-2021 period.

Top producers of dried apricots, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried apricots, 2018-2021

Australia's dried apricot production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 540.8 tonnes of dried apricots, representing a modest decrease of 7.0% compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 32%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Australia's dried apricot production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 1 999 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.5% decrease from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production value dropped by 39.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 743 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, falling by 43.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports dried apricots from Australia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports varied significantly, with a 7.9-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020. In 2021, Australia exported 32 tonnes of dried apricots, a substantial increase of 74.6% from the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 18 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 75.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand (35.4% of exports by volume), South Africa (22.7%), and China (16.5%) remained the primary buyers of Australian dried apricots, collectively accounting for 74.5% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports varied by nine times from the high in 2018 to the low in 2020. In 2021, Australia exported dried apricots worth 118 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 77.3% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 66 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 82.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, South Africa (29.6% of exports by value), New Zealand (28.3%), and China (14.0%) continued to be the leading destinations for Australian dried apricot exports, together representing 72.0% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried apricots to Australia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Australia imported 3 123 tonnes of dried apricots, reflecting a sharp decrease of 33.1% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports fell by 32.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 665 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 20.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia's dried apricot imports were predominantly sourced from Turkey, which accounted for 90.1% of total imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Australia's imports of dried apricots were valued at 12 896 thousand US dollars, showing a significant decline of 12.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value decreased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 314 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2020 at 14 678 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 21.4%, and the largest increase was in 2020, rising by 29.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, Turkey accounted for 83.9% of Australia's total dried apricot import value, with the remaining flows distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021