The freshly started apricot season in Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region highlights the dynamics of a crucial trading period for the apricot market in Central Asia. Local farmers and traders in Kara-Bak—the region’s main hub—are witnessing robust activity fueled by bountiful harvests and continued export demand from neighboring Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and broader Eurasian markets. This year, market observers note that prices are trending lower than previous years. This softness reflects the region’s abundant supply and a more cautious approach from buyers. Nevertheless, steady cross-border demand and the continuing reputation for the high quality of Batken’s traditionally dried apricots still underpin the trade volume.
Despite the price pressure, apricots retain immense value for local economies, with traditional drying methods securing both nutritional integrity and market appeal. Processors and bulk traders are actively sourcing product, particularly as dried apricots from the Batken and Malatya regions maintain their niche in both domestic consumption and food processing industries across Europe and Central Asia. Looking forward, stakeholders expect an active trading season—though pricing power is likely to remain with buyers unless weather events or export logistics alter supply.
Exclusive Offers on CMBroker
Apricots dried
Cubes, no - 8
FCA 5.38 €/kg
(from NL)
Apricots dried
Cubes, no - 6
FCA 5.77 €/kg
(from NL)
Apricots dried
Cubes, no - 5
FCA 5.77 €/kg
(from NL)
📈 Prices
| Type/Grade | Origin | Location | Delivery Terms | Latest Price (EUR/kg) | Previous Price (EUR/kg) | Update Date | Sentiment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apricots dried Cubes, no – 8 | TR | NL – Dordrecht | FCA | 5.38 | 5.38 | 2025-08-21 | Stable |
| Apricots dried Cubes, no – 6 | TR | NL – Dordrecht | FCA | 5.77 | 5.77 | 2025-08-21 | Stable |
| Apricots dried Cubes, no – 5 | TR | NL – Dordrecht | FCA | 5.77 | 5.77 | 2025-08-21 | Stable |
| Apricots dried no: 5, unsulphured | TR | TR – Malatya | FOB | 5.00 | 5.00 | 2025-08-20 | Stable |
| Apricots dried no: 4, unsulphured, organic | TR | TR – Ankara | FOB | 5.84 | 5.84 | 2025-08-20 | Stable |
| Apricots dried no: 8, TR-1123 | TR | PL – Lodz | FCA | 3.75 | 3.68 | 2025-08-14 | Slightly Rising |
🌍 Supply & Demand
- Supply: Peak harvest in Batken (Kyrgyzstan); traditional methods lead to high output and good quality, with dried apricots dominating trade volumes.
- Demand: Stable domestic and cross-border interest, particularly from food processors in Central Asia and Europe. Higher stocks and buyer caution weigh on FOB and FCA pricing.
- Exports: Batken’s output is mostly traded in bulk, serving Europe and neighboring republics. Turkish dried apricots (Malatya origin) continue as key global references for organic/unsulphured segments.
📊 Fundamentals
- Main Drivers: Ample harvest, lower prices versus previous years, strong supply chain activity in the Batken trading hub, and muted short-term speculative activity.
- Quality: Traditional sun-drying bolsters quality and reputation; nutrition and preservative-free drying are sought after in premium markets.
- Inventories: High, but moving steadily thanks to active cross-border trade.
☁️ Weather Outlook
- Bearing season in Batken and Malatya has benefited from typically dry and warm summer weather, favoring apricot drying and minimizing spoilage risks.
- Short-term forecast: Continued sunny, dry weather in main growing regions (Kyrgyzstan/Turkey). No major disruptions expected—yield quality should remain high.
🌏 Global Production & Stocks
| Country | 2024 Est. Production (000 MT) | 2023 Stocks (000 MT) |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 800 | 125 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 70 | 15 |
| Uzbekistan | 110 | 18 |
| World Total | ~1250 | 190 |
📌 Trading Outlook & Recommendations
- Expect continued steady trading pace as harvest proceeds; prices likely capped by abundant regional supply and buyers’ caution.
- Processors and bulk buyers: Secure volumes early if seeking premium (traditionally dried, sun-dried) grades before export window narrows.
- Producers: Monitor regional weather closely—any surprise rainfall during drying season could squeeze supplies and trigger rapid price moves.
- Speculators: Limited upside risk unless export disruptions or sudden surge in import demand materialize.
📆 3-Day Price Forecast (Key Exchanges)
| Location | Product & Type | Current Price (EUR/kg) | Forecast Range (Next 3 Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dordrecht, NL | Apricots dried, no-6/5 | 5.77 | 5.75–5.78 |
| Malatya, TR (FOB) | Apricots dried, no-5 unsulphured | 5.00 | 4.95–5.05 |
| Lodz, PL | Apricots dried, no:8, TR-1123 | 3.75 | 3.73–3.78 |
