Turkish Dried Apricots Edge Higher as New-Crop Supply Builds

Turkish dried apricot prices are holding firm to slightly higher in early September, with EU FCA offers for conventional Malatya fruit ticking up by around EUR 0.05/kg across most sizes while FOB benchmarks in Türkiye remain broadly stable. Larger calibres are plentiful, but limited availability of smaller sizes and organic unsulphured fruit is helping to underpin the market. After a frost-affected previous season, the 2026 Malatya crop is showing a strong production recovery with good quality and a bias toward larger sizes, according to recent export market updates. Hot, dry conditions have supported harvesting and sun-drying, and the current 3‑day outlook for Malatya continues to show clear skies and very warm temperatures, which are favourable for final drying and processing. Export boards report FOB quotations clustering around EUR 7.3–8.3/kg for conventional sulphured grades and about EUR 8.1–9.2/kg for natural and organic lines, indicating a stable but firm price structure as new-crop volumes move into the supply chain.

Prices

EU warehouse FCA prices for Turkish dried apricots in the Netherlands have risen modestly since late August. Across sizes 0–8, conventional sulphured Malatya origin is currently indicated in a tight band around EUR 6.10–7.20/kg, with most grades up about EUR 0.05/kg versus the start of September. Cube cuts also firmed slightly, reflecting steady industrial demand.

In origin, Malatya FOB price boards corroborate a broadly stable structure: standard sulphured export benchmarks sit close to EUR 8.0/kg, while natural unsulphured commands around EUR 8.2/kg and organic unsulphured near EUR 9.0–9.9/kg depending on grade and certification. The result is a relatively flat curve across conventional sizes, with a persistent premium of roughly EUR 0.8–1.0/kg for organic unsulphured fruit.

Supply & Demand

Harvest in Malatya and surrounding districts is now in its final stages, with reports pointing to a significant recovery in output compared with last year’s frost‑affected crop and a large share of fruit in larger calibres (sizes 1–4). Exporter commentary highlights comfortable availability for jumbo grades but tighter supply in smaller sizes 5–6 and certain organic natural lines, which helps explain the firmer tone in EU FCA indications for these specifications.

On the demand side, Türkiye remains one of the world’s leading apricot exporters, with recent trade statistics showing robust export volumes and higher unit values year‑on‑year. European and Middle Eastern buyers are reported as active but cautious, taking advantage of new‑crop availability while still waiting for full grade distribution data before locking in larger programs, which is limiting both aggressive discounting and sharp price rallies.

Fundamentals & Weather

Recent research and market analysis underline the role of weather and input costs in shaping Malatya apricot productivity and pricing. A new modelling study links local temperature and climatic conditions to yield and quality outcomes, reinforcing that hot, dry summers with low humidity are optimal for both ripening and sun-drying.

The current 3‑day forecast for Malatya (12–14 September) calls for continued clear skies, very warm daytime highs around 32–33°C, and cool to mild nights, with no precipitation expected. These conditions are ideal for completing drying and reducing spoilage risk, supporting a stable supply outlook and limiting immediate weather‑driven bullish impulses.

Short-Term Outlook & Trading Ideas

• Spot buyers (EU warehouses): With FCA prices in the Netherlands only modestly above late‑August levels and new‑crop quality reported as good, short‑covering for Q4 needs in conventional sulphured sizes 3–6 appears reasonable, especially where small‑size availability is tighter.
• Origin buyers (FOB Türkiye): Given the stable Malatya price board and favourable drying weather, consider staggered purchasing of natural and organic unsulphured grades to manage potential premiums if export programs accelerate later in the season.
• Industrial users: Slight firmness in cube prices suggests booking volumes early for processed applications, particularly if broader dried fruit demand picks up alongside improving macro conditions and higher Turkish apricot export values.

3-Day Regional Price Direction (EUR, directional)

• Malatya FOB conventional sulphured: Stable over the next 3 days; no major weather or supply shocks expected.
• Malatya FOB natural & organic unsulphured: Stable to slightly firmer, reflecting limited smaller sizes and ongoing niche demand.
• EU (NL) FCA warehouse, Malatya origin: Sideways to mildly upward bias (≈ +0.02–0.05 EUR/kg potential) as new‑crop lots are absorbed and buyers adjust cover ahead of autumn demand.