Turkish Dried Apricots: FCA Levels Hold Firm as New Crop Flows to EU
Concise market update on Turkish dried apricot prices: steady FCA EU and FOB TR levels, 2026 Malatya crop recovery, benign weather and 3-day outlook.
Prices
Price action over the past three weeks confirms a sideways to slightly softer trend at the low end and firm levels for higher grades. FCA Lodz quotations for Turkish-origin dried apricots no:8 (TR-1123) edged down from 4.85 EUR/kg to 4.8 EUR/kg FCA, signalling mild pressure on smaller, more industrial sizes in Poland. By contrast, FCA Dordrecht prices for whole fruit across size spectrum remain unchanged versus mid-September, indicating resilient EU warehouse values for premium grades.
| Product | Origin | Location / Term | Latest price (EUR/kg) | Recent trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apricots dried, no:8, TR-1123 | TR | Lodz, PL – FCA | 4.8 | Down from 4.85 |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 8 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 6.15 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 6 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 6.6 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 5 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 6.65 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 4 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 6.75 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 3 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 6.8 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 2 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 6.9 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 1 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 7.15 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, Size No. 0 | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 7.2 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
| Apricots dried, cubes 8–10 mm | TR | Dordrecht, NL – FCA | 3.95 | Stable vs 18 Sep |
At origin, FOB Malatya and Ankara indications for mainstream sulphured and natural grades continue to cluster around upper‑single‑digit EUR/kg levels, with reports of broadly steady benchmarks near 8–8.2 EUR/kg FOB for standard quality. Local Malatya bourse data show 2026 crop dried apricot prices ranging widely by grade, from low‑priced industrial material to high‑value jumbo and specialty types, confirming a wide quality spread but no generalized sell‑off.
Supply & Demand
The 2026 Malatya harvest has been substantially better than the frost-hit 2025 season, restoring more normal raw material availability and enabling exporters to service EU and US programs more comfortably. Türkiye remains the dominant global supplier, accounting for roughly two‑thirds of world dried apricot exports, so Malatya’s recovery has a direct stabilizing effect on global supply.
On the demand side, EU buying is described as firm but not overheated, with steady offtake into core Western European markets supporting warehouse pricing in the Netherlands and Poland. US customs data point to moderate but ongoing imports of Turkish dried apricots through 2026, suggesting continued baseline demand even at elevated international price levels. With limited carry‑over stocks and exporters focused on value rather than volume, the market is more vulnerable to demand swings than to a sudden supply glut.
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Weather & Crop Conditions (TR)
Weather in Malatya remains seasonally warm and dry, favouring drying quality and warehouse operations. Forecasts for 21–24 September 2026 call for daytime highs in the low‑ to mid‑80s°F (around 27–29°C) and cool nights, with no significant rain signals. These patterns are benign for stored product, helping to prevent moisture issues and mould pressure in both village and industrial facilities.
Given that the 2026 harvest is already completed and fruit is largely in drying yards or storage, short‑term weather risk is now mainly about logistics interruptions or quality degradation. Current forecasts do not indicate such threats, supporting the view that supply flows from Malatya and Ankara will remain smooth in the coming days.
Fundamentals & Market Drivers
- Crop size and carry-over: The 2026 crop is materially larger than the 2025 frost‑reduced season, but low carry‑over and strong pricing in the previous year keep the pipeline tight and encourage disciplined export volumes.
- Export focus: Türkiye continues to prioritize value‑added dried apricot exports, with Malatya retaining its role as the core production and trading hub for around 95% of the country’s dried apricot output.
- Destination demand: EU buyers remain the primary price-setters, but US customs data show stable, if reduced, flows versus earlier years, indicating selective but ongoing purchasing at higher international prices.
- Domestic price band: Local Malatya market quotes for 2026 crop dried apricots span a broad band by variety and quality, which allows exporters to blend origins and preserve margin despite steady FOB benchmarks.
Trading Outlook & 3‑Day Direction
- Importers / packers (EU): Current FCA Dordrecht levels look stable and well supported by origin fundamentals. Near term, downside appears limited; staggered cover for Q4–Q1 at today’s prices is advisable, with some flexibility kept for quality‑specific negotiations.
- Origin exporters (TR): With benign weather and firm demand, holding a disciplined offer strategy on standard sulphured and natural grades is justified. Selective discounts may be needed only for smaller sizes or cubes where FCA Poland already signals mild softness.
- Industrial users: Buyers sensitive to input costs may focus on cubes and smaller sizes, where FCA Lodz offers show marginal easing. Early commitment could lock in favourable spreads versus whole‑fruit grades if overall dried fruit markets tighten again.
3‑day directional view (21–24 September 2026, TR-focused):
- FOB Malatya/Ankara: Sideways; stable weather and balanced export interest argue for flat indications.
- FCA Netherlands (whole fruit sizes 0–8): Sideways to fractionally firm on any renewed EU buying; no clear downside catalyst.
- FCA Poland (industrial/small sizes): Slightly soft bias after the recent small step down in no:8 offers, but further moves likely limited in the very short term.