Turkish Dried Apricot Exports Decelerate Since April Frosts

Dried apricot exports from Turkey, the world’s largest dried apricot producer, slowed in the quarter to mid-July following the severe frost in the Malatya region in the second week of April.

Since the start of the 2024/25 campaign on August 1, 2024, Turkey exported 73,532 tonnes of dried apricots, 12% more than during the same period in 2023/24, according to data from the Aegean Exporters’ Associations (EIB).

However, exports decelerated in the three months to mid-July to 9,712 tonnes, down 2,600 tonnes from last year’s 12,300 tonnes (-21% y-o-y), as the industry struggles to find a firm footing following the April frost in Malatya, the main apricot-producing area in Turkey.

Exports of diced apricots also slowed y-o-y in the quarter ending July 19, to 1,027 tonnes, down 23% y-o-y, EIB data shows.

Turkey experienced widespread frost in the second week of April, with temperatures around Malatya, central Turkey, falling below freezing during the crucial fruit development phase. It is estimated that up to 98% of the apricot crop in Malatya could be lost as a result. (customer access only)

The Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli described the frost as “one of the largest agricultural frost events in Turkish history, after the major frost event of 2014.”

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