Dried apricots market in Iran

Earlier Report Observations

The domestic market for dried apricots in Iran expanded in 2019, reaching 3 540 t, supported by an increase in the number of producing companies and efforts to enhance product quality and packaging to meet international standards, which bolstered overall market activity. This growth was reversed in 2020 as the market volume fell to 2 733 t. During this period, a strategic development of export channels to European countries, China, India, and the Gulf states, driven by global consumer interest in natural and organic products, led to a sharp increase in overseas shipments, reducing the supply available for domestic consumption.

From 2021 onward, the contraction of the Iranian dried apricot market accelerated, with volume dropping to 1 204 t in 2021 and further to 525 t by 2023. This sustained decline was primarily due to continued strong export growth, which reached 3 738 t in 2023. The export expansion was facilitated by ongoing industry focus on hygienic, attractive packaging and the development of marketing infrastructure for international sales, diverting an increasing share of production abroad. Although domestic output fluctuated, it remained above 3 800 t in the latter years, with the export sector capturing a growing proportion of the total supply.

Production dried apricots in Iran

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran ranked fifth globally in dried apricot production.

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

Iran's dried apricot production grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 4 314 tonnes, showing little change from the 2019 level. Over the 2017–2020 period, production increased by 4.7%, averaging 1.5% growth per year. The lowest output was recorded in 2018 at 3 990 tonnes. That year also saw the largest decline of 3.1%, while 2019 registered the biggest increase at 7.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of growth, dried apricot production in Iran declined in value terms. In 2020, output was valued at 8 183 thousand US dollars, marking a 15.6% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 9.7%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 692 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.4%.

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

Exports dried apricots from Iran

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Iran exported 1 581 tonnes of dried apricots, a 109.7% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 28.3%, while 2018 saw the biggest jump at 122.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran's dried apricot exports in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Iraq, which accounted for 80.0% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Export values bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 2.9-fold difference. In 2020, Iran's dried apricot exports amounted to 3 000 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 76.3% gain compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 29.7%, while 2018 saw the highest increase at 132.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq remained the primary market for Iran's dried apricot exports in value terms, holding an 81.0% share of total flows, with the rest distributed among various other destinations.

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

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

Imports dried apricots to Iran

Market analysis indicates that Iran did not import any dried apricots from 2017 to 2020.