Turkish Dried Apricots: Stable Export Prices as New Crop Approaches

Turkish dried apricot prices are currently stable to slightly softer in EUR terms, with FOB Malatya offers for standard sulphured and unsulphured types broadly aligned with last weeks’ levels and FCA Europe values for re-packed product flat. With the 2026 crop developing under mostly favourable early-summer weather in Malatya and Ankara, the market is pausing after the strong gains seen following last winter’s frost concerns. Buyers are well covered nearby and show limited urgency, while exporters watch new-crop yield and size distribution before revising offer ideas. In this context, spot trading is selective and focused on filling gaps rather than building large positions. EU demand for dried fruit remains generally firm but price-sensitive, with cheaper origins slowly attracting interest in some product groups, even as Turkey keeps a quality and volume advantage in dried apricots. A warm and largely dry 3‑day outlook in key Turkish growing regions supports crop development and is mildly bearish for prices in the very short term, though structural tightness from earlier weather damage keeps a floor under the market.

Prices & Spreads

Dried apricot export prices from Turkey are holding in a relatively narrow range, reflecting balanced spot supply and cautious demand. Recent indicative FOB offers from Malatya and Ankara for standard sulphured No. 4–5 and comparable unsulphured types cluster in the high single-digit EUR/kg range, with organic material trading at a clear premium. This is consistent with commentary that dried apricot prices have remained firm since frost damage earlier in the season tightened raw material availability.

In Europe, FCA prices for Turkish dried apricots stored and packed in hubs like the Netherlands and Poland trade at a discount to FOB origin, reflecting prior purchasing at stronger USD levels and competitive re‑packing margins. Size premiums are visible but compact: larger, more visually attractive whole fruit commands a modest uplift over smaller sizes, while industrial cubes sit significantly below whole fruit as value options for bakery and cereal applications.

Supply, Demand & External Drivers

Turkey remains the dominant global supplier of dried apricots, with Malatya alone accounting for the bulk of national and global production. The 2025–2026 winter brought colder-than-expected conditions and episodes of frost in parts of Eastern Turkey, affecting early-flowering stone fruit including apricots. While final 2026 crop estimates are still being refined in official Turkish statistics releases, early industry reports point to reduced availability of top-grade large fruit and a higher share of smaller or cosmetically damaged fruit flowing into the drying and processing stream.

On the demand side, EU import data for fresh and dried fruit from Turkey show continued solid intake, even as overall agrifood trade remains sensitive to macroeconomic headwinds. Some substitution from Turkey towards lower-cost origins is visible in other dried fruit (e.g. raisins), but Turkish dried apricots keep a strong position due to quality, established supply chains and certifications. Retail demand in Europe is seasonally steady, supported by promotions and by the ongoing availability of Turkish-origin dried apricots in branded and private‑label ranges.

Weather Outlook – TR Growing Regions

For Malatya, key for Turkish dried apricots, the next three days (14–16 June 2026) are forecast mostly dry and warming after some cloud and isolated thunderstorms on Sunday. Highs are expected to rise from about 24°C to near 30°C with plenty of sunshine, favourable for fruit growth and drying preparation and posing no immediate weather threat.

In Ankara Province, which hosts additional drying and packing activity and some orchards, the pattern is similar: a mix of clouds and sun with a few showers on Sunday, followed by warmer, sunny conditions around 27–30°C on Monday and Tuesday. This early-summer pattern supports continued normal crop development, suggesting no short‑term weather‑driven bullish impulse for prices.

Fundamentals & Market Tone

Earlier frost damage and structural tightness in quality large fruit keep an underlying floor under Turkish dried apricot prices, and Q1–Q2 2026 reports from European buyers still describe prices as high and firm versus historical averages. However, with the new crop progressing under good June weather and with buyers in the EU and other key markets mostly covered for nearby needs, current trading shows limited upward momentum.

Export-oriented packers in Malatya highlight their ability to secure sufficient volumes via long‑term grower relationships, supporting stable offer levels even as local Lira volatility and logistics costs fluctuate. At the same time, global stone-fruit markets are under some pressure from ample supply in fresh apricots in Europe, where prices have been trending lower in early June, indirectly capping the room for further dried price appreciation. Overall, the physical market tone is calm, with neither strong panic buying nor distressed selling.

Trading Outlook & 3‑Day Price View

Trading recommendations (short term, EUR-based):

• Importers / packers: Use the current stable window to top up coverage for Q3 at today’s FCA Europe levels, focusing on balanced size mixes; avoid chasing larger sizes aggressively until more clarity on final 2026 crop sizing emerges.
• Retail brands: Lock in promotional volumes in advance while FOB Malatya prices are flat and logistics costs are manageable, but keep some flexibility for potential modest downside if excellent weather persists into July.
• Producers / exporters in Turkey: Maintain price discipline on premium large sizes and organic lots given limited high‑grade supply, while remaining competitive on smaller and industrial grades to defend market share against alternative origins.

3‑day indicative price direction (in EUR):

• FOB Malatya/Ankara – whole dried apricots: Sideways to slightly soft; weather is supportive and buyers are not rushing to extend coverage.
• FCA NL/PL – re‑packed Turkish dried apricots: Steady; existing inventories and stable demand point to unchanged offer ideas through the next 3 days.
• Industrial cubes and small sizes: Stable with a mild downward bias if any spot liquidation appears, as supply of off‑grade material remains comfortable.