Dried Apricots Edge Higher as Malatya Enters Bountiful 2026 Crop

Dried apricot prices from Türkiye are edging higher but remain broadly steady as the 2026 Malatya crop moves into full harvest with strong yield expectations and limited weather damage. A large new crop and firm export interest from Europe are keeping the market calm but slightly firmer along the size curve. Export and EU warehouse prices for Turkish dried apricots are showing a modest, orderly uptrend into late July, supported by a “bountiful” Malatya harvest and expectations of active export programs from August onward. Local authorities and the Agriculture Ministry highlight that Malatya apricot production is recovering strongly from last year’s frost-affected season, while fresh harvest and export of apricots from the region are already underway. Over the next few weeks, traders will balance ample raw material availability against still-tight global dried stocks, with buyers watching new-season export pricing closely.

Prices

Prices are quoted in EUR and converted approximately where needed.

Recent market commentary describes Turkish dried apricot prices as “stable” into the strong 2026 crop, with only mild firmness in export offers despite the large harvest.

Supply & Demand

The 2026 Turkish apricot crop is widely reported as a return to strength, with the official national dried apricot estimate around 100,000 t and roughly two-thirds of this coming from Malatya, reaffirming its role as the global reference origin. Spring frost and hail episodes earlier in the season caused only localized damage; authorities stress that the overall harvest is “bountiful” compared with last year’s frost-hit crop.

Fresh apricot harvest and exports from Malatya are in full swing, with local exporters indicating that demand for Malatya fruit remains solid despite abundant global fruit supplies. New-crop dried apricot export shipments are expected to start in early August, ramping up from September as interior stocks are converted and packed. Europe remains the dominant destination for Turkish dried apricots, with buyers attracted by consistent quality and established logistics chains.

Global dried apricot inventories are still relatively tight after last season’s smaller output and limited carryover, which tempers the bearish impact of the larger Turkish crop and supports the current firm undertone in prices. The recent Russian move to restrict stone fruit imports from Türkiye mainly affects fresh fruit and is not yet reported as a major disruptor for the core dried apricot export flow towards the EU and Middle East.

Weather & Crop Conditions (Region: TR / Malatya)

Weather in Malatya over the next three days (24–26 July) is forecast hot and mostly sunny, with daytime highs easing from about 35°C on Friday to around 30°C by Sunday, and dry conditions prevailing. This pattern is favourable for sun-drying and field operations, supporting good colour and reducing disease pressure on drying fruit.

Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture underline that Malatya apricot orchards have largely recovered from last year’s frost, helped by financial support and replanting efforts. Together with the current stable, dry outlook, this reinforces expectations that raw material availability for dried apricots from the 2026 crop will be ample, limiting upside price risk from the supply side in the very short term.

Market Fundamentals

FOB Malatya/Ankara quotations for both sulphured and unsulphured dried apricots have been broadly flat in recent weeks, suggesting that packers are not yet under pressure to discount despite the large crop. Coupled with gradually rising FCA prices at EU warehouses, this indicates that logistics and strong nearby demand, rather than origin shortages, are driving the modest firmness along the size curve.

European demand remains robust, with reports from the food service and ingredients sectors pointing to continued preference for Turkish origin, even when alternative suppliers seek to compete on price. Market analysts note that, although the 2026 Turkish crop is strong, total world dried apricot availability is not significantly above last year because other origins have limited stocks and little carryover, keeping overall fundamentals balanced to slightly tight.

Trading Outlook & 3-Day Price Indication

Trading outlook (next 2–4 weeks)

• Buyers needing nearby coverage for Q3–Q4 2026 should consider layering in volumes now: prices are firm but orderly, and a large crop reduces the risk of sharp spikes.
• For larger sizes (0–2), modest additional firmness is possible as early export programs focus on premium grades; smaller sizes and industrial cubes should remain more competitively priced.
• Sellers with unsold old crop can still achieve stable returns, but should be prepared for gradual buyer resistance if new-crop FOB offers edge lower later in August.

Short-term (3‑day) directional view – key points

• FOB Malatya TR, dried apricots (all grades): sideways to slightly softer bias in EUR terms as harvest progress and favourable weather highlight ample supply; no abrupt moves expected.
• FCA Dordrecht NL, Turkish origin dried apricots: slightly firm tone maintained, with indicative levels for mid-sizes likely to hover in the current 6.3–6.5 EUR/kg band as logistics and demand keep nearby offers supported.
• FCA PL (Lodz), bulk TR-1123 type: broadly steady around mid-5 EUR/kg, with limited short-term volatility expected given comfortable stock levels.