Apricot Production by Country 2024

Known for their rich gold-orange color, sweet flavor, and fuzzy skins, apricots are a nutritious fruit beloved around the world. They’re also an important cash crop for many countries around the world, making the apricot an important agricultural and economic staple worldwide.

Here’s a closer look at some of the world’s top apricot producers, as well as a few contributing factors that can influence overall apricot yield from country to country.

Top Apricot-Producing Countries

Turkey

Contributing almost 800,000 tons of apricots to the global apricot industry every year, Turkey is the world’s top apricot producer by a landslide. In fact, Turkish apricots are widely considered to be some of the most flavorful and desirable in the world.

The wide range of landscape options and climates present in Turkey further make it possible for the country to cultivate multiple types of apricots. It’s currently responsible for about 19 percent of the apricots in the world.

Uzbekistan

As is the case in Turkey, Uzbekistan features the dry continental climates and long, hot summers that really help apricot crops to thrive. This climate is also ideal for drying apricots. As of 2023, Uzbekistan produces about 424,734 tons of apricots each year.

Iran

Apricot cultivation has a long, rich history in Iranian culture, so, unsurprisingly, Iran is the world’s third-largest apricot producer with around 323,019 tons grown annually. Optimal climates and fertile growing soil give Iran an edge here, especially in cultivation regions like Fars and Khorasan.

Algeria

Algeria’s eco-geographic conditions and warm Mediterranean climate make it a solid place to grow apricots. The country also features numerous diverse regions where the fruit can thrive and mature. Algeria produces around 189,570 tons of apricots annually.

Other key apricot-producing countries worldwide include Italy, Pakistan, Spain, Afghanistan, Japan, and Russia.

Factors That Can Impact Apricot Production

Naturally, climate and growing conditions will be the biggest factors that differentiate top apricot growers from the rest of the pack. However, examples like the following are also important.

Water availability: Although apricot trees prefer dryer, sunnier conditions, they still require an ample water supply, so a country’s irrigation practices are crucial.

Pollination: Apricot trees are generally self-pollinating, but the presence or absence of abundant pollinators like bees is an important contributor to fruit quality and overall yield.

Cultivar Variety: A country’s cultivar options can affect its ability to produce wider varieties of apricots, so nations with a more diverse selection may have an edge.