The land of Malatya City situated in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey is the apricot capital of the world and thus, the title is held in high regard in the city. Not only the title is a matter of pride, but it also underlines the great apricot production industry, which is the mainstay of Malatya's economy. The specific circumstances of the region, such as the unique climate, soil structure, and traditional farming methods, make it possible for Malatya to provide 85% of the total apricot supply worldwide. The city supplies 90% of the entire dried apricot market, hence, it is the primary player in the food industry globally. Being a city with a population of almost one million, the whole economy of Malatya is closely linked to the apricot trade, which makes this fruit a very important part of life in the region.
Apricots are teeming with a long verbiage of their history which dates back to over 5,000 years ago. Historical sources tell that the apricot was produced in a very wide area of the world that had Turkestan, Central Asia, and Western China as its main regions. In those places, though, they had what we might now consider to be wild apricot trees, the ones that were out in the field for long before the cultivation of apricots appeared to be around. Around the 4th century B.C., during the expeditions of Alexander the Great, apricots were introduced to Anatolia (present-day Turkey), where they found a second home. The climatic conditions in Anatolia were the most suitable for apricot farming which ensured that apricot became one of the most important products in this complex of agriculture.
For hundreds of years, the apricot has been on its way around the world. By the 1st century B.C., Armenian dealers had taught them out this fruit in Italy and Greece from where it spread all over Europe. The apricot made its way to Spain and England in the 13th century and then it got to France and America by the 17th century. Currently, apricots are cultivated in various regions worldwide. However, no other place can match Malatya's quality or be at par with its volume.
The state-of-the-art production facility is designed as per the European and AFI standards. Our areas include white marble floors and anti-bacterial tile walls which ensure a healthy atmosphere that upholds our extracting quality standards. Apart from this, every batch of apricots is guaranteed to fulfil the highest standards of purity and quality by our on-site microbiological laboratory.
Facts speak for themselves: Nearly 120,000 tons of dried apricots are being shipped abroad from Malatya each year. This means that Apricot production has grown from 85- 90% to almost all of the world's supply, which in turn has led to Malatya being a key location in the global apricot trade. Malatya is not the only enabler of the apricot cultivating hegemony in Malatya. The marrying of the Malatya apricot to the others and thus making this production of apricots very popular among customers is the reason for customers' popularity. These apricots are rounder, riper, and also sweeter than the rest of them which are grown in various places, thus, their being preferred is growing in other countries.
Turkey, which is led by Malatya City - World’s Apricots Capital , is the biggest apricot producer worldwide. The country usually supplies more than 100,000 tons of apricots per year, which makes the country the leader in apricot production compared to other countries like Spain, Italy, the US, Iran, and France. However, apart from apricots grown in other areas of Turkey such as Elazığ, Erzincan, and Iğdır, these areas mainly produce apricots for fresh consumption. In contrast, Malatya's emphasis is on dried apricots, which are the main exports of this region.
In Malatya, the Dried Apricots business is the most important way of getting money for many families. The thousands of people who work in the apricot trade are directly or indirectly involved in the process of farming, processing, packaging, and exporting the fruit. The connection between apricots and the city’s economy is so strong that changes in apricot prices can result in a pronounced effect on the financial position of the local people.
Nevertheless, the region has a monopoly on the apricot market, yet it faces challenges. One of the main problems of Malatya apricot farmers is the instability of the apricot prices. Price volatility may be attributed to different reasons, such as changes in worldwide demand and unforeseen weather conditions. Late spring frosts are a frequent danger that can cause serious damage to crops, which in turn leads to lower production and high prices.
What distinguishes Malatya’s apricots from ones cultivated in other regions? This is due to the climate, geography, and the implementation of traditional farming methods. Climate in Malatya, which includes long, hot summers and cold winters, is ideal for apricot growing because it provides necessary conditions for the crop to develop maximally. The area’s rich soils offer the essential nutrients that apricots require for their growth, while age-old farming methods that have been handed down from generation to generation make certain that the fruit is grown with love and care.
Malatya apricots are the champions of the family of apricots when it comes to their size, color, and taste. Malatya in particular, despite their vivid orange color, can compete with other apricot varieties in terms of dimensions. The dried version of the Malaya apricots keeps their bright color such that when compared to other varieties that darken or lose their shine, malayan dried apricots are the best high-quality options. The Malatya apricot's taste is the other unique, charmant feature of it, which has a honey-like sweet flavor loved throughout the world.
Undoubtedly, Malatya apricot industry has been experiencing a boom trend, still, some crucial challenges need to be solved if apricot sector is to remain sustainable in long-run.
According to one of the most serious issues confronting the apricot farmers in Malatya is the unfair and fluctuating prices of apricots. Sudden rise and fall of global market, especially, can result in unpredictable gains and no gains for the farmers. This, too, can be considered as one of the factors why the profits are late establishment of spring frost which usually happens every 2-3 years that in turn cause a huge cut in yield and make prices soar in the years with crop failures and dip in good years due to overproduction.
The above-mentioned dependence on Dried Apricot Production makes the region susceptible to climate-related risks. The mentioned late spring frosts can cause nearly complete damage to the harvest, thereby forcing farmers to suffer not only financial loss but also causing serious disturbances in the apricot market of the world. One of the ways that researchers are looking at to prevent this risk from happening is the development of new apricot cultivars that are more frost resistant.
Despite the fact that conventional farming techniques have been a successful way for Malatya to survive for many years, the fact that modernization is needed for the place to be able to compete in the world market is becoming more and more accepted. The introduction of better irrigation, fertilization, and pest management practices can contribute to increased yields and thus, the apricot industry of Malatya maintains its leading position.
Research and Development is one of the other areas in which the apricot industry of Malatya can be improved. It is true that some research is being carried out at institutions like Inonu University’s Apricot Research Center,however, more should be done to develop new apricot varieties that are adapted to the region's climate and market conditions. Increasing Research and Development activities can be a way for Malatya to maintain its competitiveness in production and quality.
Malatya's apricots are sold in various countries, almost all exports are sent to Europe, North America, and the Middle East. Dried apricots are especially the most loved in Germany and France in Europe, where they are used in different kinds of dishes. In the United States, Malatya apricots are famous for their quality and are usually found as a premium product in supermarkets and health food stores.
Apricot's global popularity is one of the factors behind the increased awareness of the fruit's health benefits. Apricots are enriched with the vitamins A and C, the fiber, and the antioxidants, hence they are preferable for health-conscious individuals. Apricot dried fruits, in particular, their rich nutritional content and durability, have made them a healthy snack that is easy to carry.
Malatya's apricot industry has a bright future ahead. However, in order to keep its leadership in the world, it will be necessary to continue investment in infrastructure, research, and marketing. Differentiating the marketing of apricot products, these are some of the best solutions to the long-term stability of the industry, along with the modernizing of farming techniques and the developing of frost-resistant cultivars.
Besides that, increasingly more people are realizing that it is necessary to promote the health benefits of apricots, particularly dried apricots, in order to increase consumption. Research that proves the nutrient benefits of apricots is one of the factors that can stimulate demand, both domestically and internationally.
Malatya City , which is known as the apricot capital of the world, is much more than just that. It is a city where the horns of the apricot industry twine together through tradition, culture, and economy. The city's being a global leader in apricot production has brought it to world recognition and its exports have a tremendous effect on the international markets. With the ongoing innovation and adapting in line with shifting market trends, it is hardly possible for Malatya not to be the leader in the global apricot trade for a long time. The Malatya apricot is the region's product that stands for the rich agricultural heritage of the area and the future of this fruit is as bright as the sun.
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