Turkish Dried Apricot Market Holds Firm as New-Crop Volumes Build

Turkish dried apricot prices are holding broadly steady in early September, with only marginal adjustments between sulphured and natural grades as the 2026 crop moves from orchards into drying yards and processing plants. With harvesting in Malatya and surrounding districts now in its final stages, exporters report generally comfortable availability for large-calibre fruit but more limited supply for smaller sizes, especially in organic unsulphured categories. Buyers are active but cautious, waiting for clearer grade distribution and quality data before committing to larger tonnages, which is helping to cap both aggressive discounting and sharp rallies in FOB quotations.

Prices

Current indicative Turkish FOB prices for new-crop dried apricots from Malatya and Ankara are clustered around EUR 7.3–8.3/kg for conventional sulphured grades No. 4–8 and EUR 8.1–9.2/kg for natural unsulphured and organic lines, with the premium for organic unsulphured around EUR 0.8–1.0/kg over comparable conventional fruit. Export price boards for Malatya show sulphured FOB benchmarks close to EUR 8/kg and natural unsulphured around EUR 8.2/kg, consistent with this range and confirming a relatively flat price structure since mid-summer despite modest intra-grade moves.

Domestic producer sentiment in Malatya remains strained, with local reports highlighting that on-farm prices for dried apricots are well below prior-year peaks, even as export indications in EUR appear stable. This reflects the combination of a softer Turkish lira and better physical availability, which improves exporter margins but constrains further upside in foreign-currency prices for now.

Supply & Demand

The 2026 Turkish dried apricot crop marks a clear production recovery after the frost-affected previous season. Recent industry updates describe a significantly better harvest in Malatya and neighbouring areas, with hot, dry conditions supporting efficient sun-drying and helping reduce weather-related losses during the critical August–early September period.

However, earlier in the season, official assessments highlighted the lingering impact of past frost, poor pollination, and hail, with national dried apricot output still estimated around 75,000–80,000 tonnes—below a fully normal year and with slightly weaker average quality compared with a typical season. This combination of recovery and residual structural damage explains today’s balanced market: there is enough volume to avoid a squeeze, but not enough surplus to trigger a pronounced price correction.

On the demand side, Europe remains the key outlet for Turkish dried apricots, and importers are now gradually switching from old-crop coverage to new-crop purchasing programs. A recent trade note points to tighter availability in organic dried apricots relative to conventional, especially in EU retail-focused supply chains, which supports the current organic premium and may limit spot opportunities for late buyers in this segment.

Weather & Crop Conditions (Malatya & Ankara)

Weather in Malatya and Ankara over the next three days (10–12 September) is forecast to remain hot, sunny and dry, with daytime highs around 31–32°C and cool nights. These conditions are ideal for completing final sun-drying and yard operations, helping to stabilise moisture levels and reduce the risk of mould or quality downgrades in late-harvested fruit.

Local media confirm that in higher-altitude Malatya districts such as Kürecik, apricot harvesting is still ongoing into early September, leaving some fruit still on the trees. This extended harvest window raises handling and quality-management demands but, under the present dry pattern, is not yet seen as a major threat to the new-crop profile.

Fundamentals & Quality Mix

Export-industry commentary underlines strong availability of larger sizes (No. 1–4), while smaller grades (No. 5–6) are expected to be relatively tighter. This size distribution favours buyers needing premium, large-calibre fruit but may sustain a pricing floor for small sizes used in ingredient and bakery channels.

At the same time, a smaller share of the crop meets strict organic and high-specification standards demanded by EU baby food and premium retail brands, which typically require tight aflatoxin and ochratoxin limits and advanced sorting. Suppliers report that such lots remain structurally scarce and command a stable premium despite the overall crop recovery.

Historically, Turkish dried apricot export volumes have grown steadily, and Turkey retains a dominant share of global supply. With current production sufficient to meet normal export programs but not to rebuild large stocks, the market is likely to trade sideways into the main European contracting window, barring a demand shock or currency-driven shift.

Trading Outlook & 3-Day Price View

• For importers: Consider covering Q4 2026–Q1 2027 needs for standard sulphured grades during September while the forward curve is flat and FOB sulphured levels around EUR 7.4–7.7/kg remain available. Staggered purchases can hedge potential FX-driven volatility in TRY-denominated farm-gate prices.
• For organic and unsulphured buyers: Secure core volumes early, especially for large sizes and strict EU retail or baby-food specifications. The combination of tighter organic availability and steady demand suggests limited downside from current EUR 9.0–9.3/kg indications.
• For Turkish packers/exporters: With hot, dry weather supporting quality and no immediate supply shock, value may lie in selective forward sales rather than aggressive discounting. Monitoring EU retail tenders and any pickup in Ramadan-related demand will be key to timing larger commitments.

Over the next three days, with benign weather and no fresh macro or policy shocks visible, dried apricot FOB quotes from Malatya and Ankara are expected to remain broadly stable in EUR terms. Minor adjustments of ±0.5–1% between grades are possible as exporters fine-tune opening offers and as more precise data on size and quality distribution becomes available, but a sharp directional move is unlikely in the immediate term.