Dried apricots market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the dried apricots market volume in Northern Africa experienced notable swings. It grew to 7 366 t in 2019, supported by rising global demand for organic dried apricots, which encouraged import flows into the region. The subsequent drop to 6 208 t in 2020 coincided with severe climatic hazards in major producing countries like France, where frosts, heatwaves, and hail damaged harvests and fruit quality, tightening export availability.

Market volume continued to decline through 2021 and 2022, bottoming at 4 217 t in 2022. This was driven by a reduction in orchard area in France and persistent unfavorable weather that curtailed production and supply for export. A recovery to 4 681 t occurred in 2023, as abundant French output and a sharp rise in imports from Spain helped replenish regional supply.

Production dried apricots in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

Dried apricot production in Northern Africa declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output reached 1 563 tonnes, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 1 566 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 12.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Dried apricot production in Northern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 427 thousand US dollars, marking a slight reduction of 2.3% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 830 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 22.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 32.2%.

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

Exports dried apricots from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Dried apricot exports from Northern Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, shipments amounted to 122 tonnes, representing a sharp rise of 51.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 578.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 89.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried apricots from Northern Africa were primarily shipped to Turkey, which accounted for 92.1% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was reached in 2020, reflecting a 5.9-fold gap. In 2020, Northern Africa exported dried apricots worth 346 thousand US dollars, marking an uptick of 48.5% compared to 2019. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 20.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 404.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated the export structure in value terms, accounting for 92.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried apricots to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year advance, dried apricot imports to Northern Africa declined. In 2020, import volume stood at 4 767 tonnes, showing a substantial decrease of 18.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 39.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 5 880 tonnes, with the largest annual increase also occurring in 2019 at 53.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the dominant and nearly sole destination for dried apricot imports to Northern Africa in volume terms, with a share of 99.5%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, foreign dried apricot supplies to Northern Africa declined. In 2020, import value stood at 13 531 thousand US dollars, representing a robust loss of 14.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 35.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.6%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 15 798 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase also occurring in 2019 at 30.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey almost fully determined the geographical structure of dried apricot imports to Northern Africa in value terms, accounting for 99.4% of total flows.

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

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