Market reports

Special Apricot

Apricot Cultivation in Malatya Between Climate Crisis, Crop Failures, and Fragile Recovery

Severe Frost Damage in 2025

Apricot cultivation in the Turkish region of Malatya, one of the world’s most important production centres for dried apricots, suffered an exceptionally severe setback in 2025. Extreme late frosts in April, with temperatures dropping below –15 °C, caused massive damage during the sensitive flowering phase. The blossoms in particular were almost completely destroyed, resulting in a near-total crop failure. Due to the late frost and the subsequent drought, approximately 20% of all trees died in 2025. It will take around 10 years for these to be replanted and bear fruit.

Massive Impact on Production and Exports

The impact on the market was significant: production of dried apricots in the Malatya region fell by up to 99%, whilst export volumes dropped by more than 60%.

Cautious Optimism for the 2026 Harvest

The outlook for 2026 looks somewhat brighter. Overall, the apricot trees started the growing season in much better condition, and a profuse bloom initially raised hopes of a high-quality harvest. Nevertheless, developments remain heavily dependent on the weather. Persistently cold and changeable conditions in the spring partially affected fruit set, as delicate blossoms were damaged or fell prematurely.

Regional Hail Damage in Spring 2026

In addition, localised hailstorms occurred at the end of April 2026, particularly in the districts of Akçadağ, Darende and Hekimhan. These caused sporadic damage to young fruit and, in some cases, to the trees themselves. However, in contrast to the widespread frost damage of the previous year, these were regionally limited events that primarily affected quality and, locally, harvest volumes, but did not jeopardise the region’s overall production base.

Production Still Below Long-Term Average

Despite the evident recovery, total production in 2026 is expected to remain well below the long-term average, tending to be in the region of 200,000–300,000 tonnes. The market situation remains correspondingly tight: weather-related damage such as hail also increases sorting losses and exacerbates the shortage of kernels for oil production.

Stable Demand Amid Limited Supply

Demand, particularly from the European Union, remains stable, whilst supply continues to be limited. The final harvest volume and quality will depend largely on weather conditions during the remaining weeks of the growing season. Further extreme events, such as late frosts or hail, could exacerbate the situation once again and lead to further price rises.

Fragile Recovery and Long-Term Risks

Overall, apricot cultivation in Malatya is currently in a fragile recovery phase following the exceptional year of 2025. Developments over the past two years also highlight the high sensitivity of production to extreme weather events. Late frosts, unstable spring weather and an increase in hailstorms are key risk factors and may require long-term adjustments to cultivation practices.