Dried apricots market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek dried apricot market opened the period at 1 695 t in 2018, supported by the development of new, more productive apricot varieties that allowed faster production and earlier fruiting, enhancing the competitiveness of local cultivation. After a drop to 1 308 t in 2019, the market volume rose to 2 022 t in 2020, partly due to the introduction of new apricot varieties covering the entire ripening spectrum from very early to very late, which likely boosted production.

Following the 2020 peak, the market volume fell to 1 547 t in 2021. A modest recovery to 1 577 t occurred in 2022, amid a shortage of apricot supply in the European market—where production was 8% below the five-year average—and the start of commercial harvesting of ultra-early table apricots for the domestic market. By 2023, the market volume had declined to 1 204 t.

Production dried apricots in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Greece ranked as the 10th largest producer of dried apricots from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

Greece's dried apricot production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 1 655 tonnes, representing a gradual rise of 9.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 328 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried apricots from Greece

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 330 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 1 109 tonnes, representing a 3.4-fold difference. In 2020, Greece's cross-border shipments of dried apricots totaled 333 tonnes, marking a sharp decrease of 70.0% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 235.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Germany—collectively accounted for 69.3% of Greece's total dried apricot exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2018 at 750 thousand US dollars and climbed to their maximum in 2019 at 1 689 thousand US dollars, a 2.3-fold shift. In 2020, the value of dried apricots leaving Greece was 806 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a steep decline of 52.3% year-over-year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 125.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Cyprus (46.5% of exports in value terms), Bulgaria (18.3%), and Germany (8.7%) remained the primary buyers of Greek dried apricots, jointly forming 73.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports dried apricots to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign dried apricot supplies to Greece amounted to 699 tonnes, reflecting a solid decrease of 23.0% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 698 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2019 at 907 tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 30.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the key and nearly sole market for dried apricot imports to Greece in volume terms, accounting for 93.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, the volume of dried apricot imports to Greece declined. In 2020, imports registered 2 495 thousand US dollars, marking a fall of 16.7% compared with 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 994 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, 90.2% of total imports in value terms of dried apricots to Greece were directed to Turkey, making this market overwhelmingly dominant.

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

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