Turkish Dried Apricots Edge Higher on Firm EU Demand and Stable Weather

Prices for Turkish dried apricots are edging higher across key sizes, supported by firm EU demand and stable near‑term weather in Malatya. Export quotes remain significantly above earlier‑year levels, with little sign of downside in the very short term. The market for Turkish origin dried apricots is currently characterised by gradual but broad‑based price appreciation. FCA offers in Northwest Europe for Malatya origin fruit have moved up by roughly EUR 0.10/kg week‑on‑week for most conventional sizes, while Turkish FOB quotations have stayed flat but elevated versus early spring. Underlying supply confidence is helped by sunny and seasonally warm conditions in Malatya over the coming three days, reducing immediate weather risk for the late fresh crop and drying season. EU agri‑food trade flows remain resilient, keeping import demand for Turkish fruit stable despite softer overall export values.

Prices

FCA Northwest Europe (Dordrecht) quotes for Turkish conventional dried apricots have increased slightly versus last week, with typical mid‑sizes trading around EUR 6.05–6.25/kg and the largest grades at about EUR 6.60–6.65/kg. Smaller sizes are in the EUR 5.60/kg area, while industrial cubes hover near EUR 3.40/kg. FOB Turkey quotations for Malatya unsulphured and sulphured product remain flat but high, generally in an EUR 7.3–8.6/kg range for sulphured and around EUR 7.8–8.6/kg for unsulphured conventional product, depending on size and specification. Organic Malatya apricots maintain a clear premium, with wholesale offers from Turkey around EUR 3.9–4.1/kg above conventional levels on a carton basis when converted from recent USD quotes. Retail and foodservice wholesale prices for premium Malatya product in EU hubs such as Rungis remain firm, confirming the strong price positioning of Turkish supply in end markets.

*Indicative conversion from recent organic Malatya wholesale offers in USD; all EUR values rounded.

Supply & Demand

Turkey remains the undisputed global leader in dried apricots, supplying around 90% of world trade, with Malatya at the core of production. Recent industry overviews confirm that annual output in Malatya typically yields 50,000–70,000 tonnes of dried apricots, underlining the region’s systemic role for global availability. Earlier in the season, hail and severe weather in April caused damage in parts of Malatya’s orchards, but current price behaviour and export flows suggest that the 2026 crop, while partially impacted, remains sufficient to cover existing forward commitments.

On the demand side, EU agri‑food exports have softened slightly year‑on‑year but the bloc’s overall trade surplus has widened, indicating continued robust throughput in high‑value food categories. Turkish dried apricots continue to be a staple in EU import baskets, backed by long‑standing customs arrangements and well‑established processing and certification infrastructure. Competitive pressure from alternative origins, including Armenia and Central Asia, is visible, but recent disruptions such as Russia’s import restrictions on Armenian dried fruit keep Turkey in a dominant position on key Northern European and Mediterranean markets.

Fundamentals & Weather

Structurally, Malatya’s orchards deliver more than half of Türkiye’s fresh apricot output and the overwhelming majority of dried apricot production, with strong investment in processing and export capacity over the last decade. Forward‑looking market commentary from earlier in the year already highlighted tight stocks and persistent firmness in dried apricot prices after prior frost‑affected crops. The present uptick in FCA prices aligns with this narrative of constrained but adequate supply: exporters appear reluctant to discount, while buyers are gradually replenishing inventories for summer and early autumn demand.

Weather conditions for the coming three days in Malatya are benign, with persistent sunshine and daytime highs around 30–32°C and cool to mild nights. Such a pattern is favourable for drying and post‑harvest handling, reducing short‑term quality and yield risks for the current crop. With no immediate threat from heat extremes or storms, the near‑term balance of risk for physical availability is neutral to slightly positive, giving market participants little leverage to argue for lower spot prices.

3‑Day Outlook & Trading Ideas

Market bias (next 3 days): mildly bullish for Turkish origin dried apricots, with further small price gains possible in EU warehouses and continued stability in FOB Turkey quotations.

• EU importers / packers: Consider covering short‑ to medium‑term needs now, especially for popular mid‑sizes (2–5), as incremental price firming and limited nearby downside suggest that waiting is unlikely to yield meaningful discounts.
• Turkish exporters: Current FOB levels are competitive versus EU wholesale price points for premium Malatya product; maintaining offer discipline on quality grades while being flexible on smaller sizes and industrial cubes can help maximise margin without losing volume.
• Large buyers and brands: For organic and unsulphured specifications, the persistent premium and tightness warrant early contracting into Q4, particularly for Jumbo and size 1 fruit, to mitigate the risk of later‑season price spikes.