Dried apricots market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the dried apricot market in China experienced significant fluctuations, with overall growth from 4 557 t to 12 558 t. The market volume surged to 6 660 t in 2019, then contracted to 4 464 t in 2020 before resuming a strong upward trajectory, reaching 5 665 t in 2021, 8 219 t in 2022, and 12 558 t in 2023.

In 2024, imports declined to 7 475 t, reflecting supply constraints. Severe frost during the April-May blooming period caused substantial crop losses, leading to market shortages and sharp price increases. Manufacturers showed reluctance to sell existing stocks due to high procurement costs, while new apricot orchard planting initiatives were launched to address future supply. Online trading platform development also progressed to enhance procurement and sales efficiency.

Production dried apricots in China

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

China was among the world's leading producers of dried apricots from 2017 to 2020, ranking 22nd globally by production volume.

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

In 2020, China produced 15 510 kg of dried apricots, marking a slight year-over-year increase of 1.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 5.9%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 15 260 kg, while the highest was in 2018 at 17 080 kg. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 10.7% decrease, whereas the largest gain was in 2018 with a 3.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, kg

In value, 2017-2020, $ US

Dried apricots production in China declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 65 325 US dollars, reflecting a moderate year-over-year decrease of 3.2%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 73 903 US dollars. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 8.7%, while the largest increase was also in 2018 at 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Exports dried apricots from China

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, China's dried apricots export volume totaled 78 tonnes, representing a 25.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 34.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 13.2%. The most substantial decrease was recorded in 2018 at 25.2%, whereas the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan dominated China's dried apricots export structure in volume terms, accounting for 86.5% of total flows, with other destinations holding relatively minor shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of dried apricots exported from China amounted to 327 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 28.6% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 33.4%, with an annualized rate of -12.6%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 19.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan and France were the dominant buyers of dried apricots from China in value terms, together accounting for 90.1% of total exports, while other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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

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

Imports dried apricots to China

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China imported a total of dried apricots, showing a steep decline of 32.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 748 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018 at 116.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan were the principal suppliers of dried apricots to China in volume terms, accounting for 36.8%, 26.6%, and 24.6% of imports, respectively, and jointly making up 88.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, changing by a factor of 2.5. In 2020, dried apricots imports into China stood at 4 799 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decrease of 36.5% from 2019. The maximum value was in 2019 at 7 553 thousand US dollars. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 83.1%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, and Afghanistan contributed the most to China's dried apricots imports in value terms, with shares of 51.1%, 18.7%, and 18.3%, respectively, and together accounting for 88.2% of total flows.

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

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