Dried apricots market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried apricots market in Eastern Asia grew substantially from 5 707 t in 2018 to 7 950 t in 2019. This initial expansion was supported by rising food demand across Asia, fueled by population growth and higher income levels, which increased consumption of snack foods including dried fruits. However, in 2020, the market volume contracted to 5 939 t as the COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread supply chain disruptions and logistics bottlenecks, temporarily limiting the availability and flow of imported dried apricots.

Following the pandemic dip, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 13 756 t by 2023. This sustained growth was primarily driven by a marked shift in consumer preferences towards health and nutrition, particularly evident in the Chinese dried fruit and nut market where demand for healthy snacks surged. The market's upward trajectory continued despite a significant supply-side shock in 2023, when spring frosts in Turkey—a key global production region—severely damaged the apricot harvest, leading to supply shortages and sharp price increases for dried apricots worldwide.

Consumer focus on healthy eating remained a dominant force into 2024, sustaining import demand in Eastern Asia. Although full-year market volume data is not available, high prices for Turkish dried apricots persisted due to the continued supply constraint, while regional consumption patterns showed ongoing strength.

Production dried apricots in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

In Eastern Asia, dried apricot production reached 15,510 kg in 2020, marking a 1.6% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 5.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 15,260 kg, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 17,080 kg. The most significant drop in production happened in 2019, falling by 10.7%, whereas the largest gain was in 2018 with a 3.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

In value, 2017-2020, $ US

Following a two-year downturn, dried apricot production in Eastern Asia showed signs of recovery. In 2020, the output was valued at $63,942, reflecting a moderate increase of 6.8% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production value decreased by 8.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $59,898, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

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

Exports dried apricots from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Asia's dried apricot exports continued to decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 112 tonnes, representing a sharp decrease of 42.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 39.2%, averaging an annual decline of 15.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 235 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 27.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, dried apricot exports from Eastern Asia were distributed relatively evenly across various markets. Thailand accounted for 8.1% of exports in volume, Australia for 2.8%, and France for 2.5%, with these three countries together making up just 13.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Dried apricot exports from Eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported $461,000 worth of dried apricots, which is 40.0% lower than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 40.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -16.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at $899,000, which also saw the largest increase of 15.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried apricot exports from Eastern Asia in value terms were spread across a diverse range of partner countries. France held a 12.6% share, Thailand 6.4%, and Australia 2.0%, with these three countries collectively accounting for only 20.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried apricots to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for dried apricots in Eastern Asia showed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 6,036 tonnes, indicating a sharp decline of 25.8% compared to 2019. The peak volume was in 2019 at 8,130 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 77.9% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main suppliers of dried apricots to Eastern Asia were Turkey, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Turkey accounted for 43.2% of imports in volume, Afghanistan for 20.5%, and Kyrgyzstan for 19.7%, together comprising 83.4% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Eastern Asia's dried apricot imports declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at $10,410,000, representing a steep decrease of 26.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, import value increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.4%. The highest value was in 2019 at $14,237,000, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 27.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest suppliers of dried apricots to Eastern Asia in value terms were Turkey, the United States, and Kyrgyzstan. Turkey held a 52.6% share, the United States 12.3%, and Kyrgyzstan 8.5%, together forming 73.3% of total import value.

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

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