Dried apricots market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried apricot market volume in Western Asia grew significantly from 17.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 47.4 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was initially supported by state-backed export promotion through the Malatya Commodity Exchange and incentives for organic producers, which encouraged new market entrants and stabilized production.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, reducing exports and increasing domestic market volume. In response, the state strengthened support measures, including the launch of guaranteed purchases by Toprak Mahsulleri Ofisi (TMO) in 2021, which set procurement prices and introduced a licensed warehouse system to protect producer incomes and ensure market stability.

Consumer preference for healthy and natural products further stimulated demand, particularly for organic dried apricots. Improvements in packaging and labeling standards enhanced international competitiveness, while the digitization of procurement through the ELÜS system in 2023 facilitated producer access to the market. By 2024, ongoing state subsidies and investments in the Malatya region, alongside continued policy coordination, maintained the market's foundation despite global supply chain and currency challenges.

Production dried apricots in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried apricots, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried apricots, 2017-2020

Dried apricot production in Western Asia has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 98.1 K t, marking a 2.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 101.6 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried apricot production in Western Asia has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 312.1 M $ US, showing a strong 17.8% increase from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.3%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 262.9 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.2%.

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

Exports dried apricots from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, dried apricot exports from Western Asia declined. In 2020, export volume stood at 82.6 K t, a notable 16.2% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 10%, with an annualized rate of 3.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 98.6 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was diversified, with no single country dominating. The United States (13.3% of exports in kind), France (8.1%), and Germany (6.9%) together accounted for just 28.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Dried apricot export value from Western Asia increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 263.0 M $ US, a slight 1.4% uptick from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 253.7 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 4.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, dried apricots from Western Asia were exported to a wide range of markets. The United States (14.6% of exports in value terms), France (9.5%), and Germany (8.6%) together made up only 32.7% of total exports, with many smaller destinations accounting for the remaining 67.3%.

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

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

Imports dried apricots to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Asia imported 15.8 K t of dried apricots, a moderate 7.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 13.5 K t, which also had the largest decline of 9.4%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 17.0 K t, marking the largest increase of 25.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried apricot imports in kind to Western Asia were relatively evenly distributed. Tajikistan (23.8% of imports in kind), Uzbekistan (7.8%), and Afghanistan (7.2%) together accounted for only 38.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, dried apricot imports to Western Asia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 31.6 M $ US, down 16.2% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 37.7 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, dried apricot imports to Western Asia involved many trading partners. Even the largest destinations — Uzbekistan, Iran, and Germany — together represented only 16.2% of total imports in value terms.

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

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