Malatya, a province in eastern Turkey, is universally recognised as the apricot capital of the world. The region produces the overwhelming majority of global dried apricot output — a dominance rooted in unique geography, climate, and centuries of cultivation expertise. IFS Food's processing facility is located at the heart of this production zone, ensuring direct access to the freshest, highest-quality raw material.
Why Malatya Apricots Are Exceptional
Malatya's continental climate — characterised by hot, dry summers and cold winters at an altitude of roughly 900 metres — creates ideal conditions for the Hacıhaliloğlu and Kabaaşı apricot varieties. The long, sun-drenched growing season allows fruit to develop intense sweetness and a complex flavour profile. Mineral-rich alluvial soils nourished by the Euphrates River contribute further to the distinctive taste and nutritional density that set Malatya dried apricots apart from competing origins.
From Malatya Orchards to Global Markets
Harvest in Malatya begins in late July and extends through August. Apricots are hand-picked, halved, pitted, and laid on drying trays under the open sun — a tradition that has remained fundamentally unchanged for generations. The sun-dried raw material is then transported to modern processing facilities like ours in the Malatya 2nd Organised Industrial Zone, where it undergoes washing, grading, sorting, and packaging for international shipment. This seamless farm-to-factory-to-port supply chain is what makes Malatya-origin dried apricots the gold standard worldwide.
Malatya — The World Capital of Dried Apricots
Frequently Asked Questions
Malatya accounts for approximately 85 % of global dried apricot production. Turkey as a whole produces over 90 % of the world's total supply, and the Malatya basin is the single largest production zone within the country.
The two primary varieties are Hacıhaliloğlu (the classic dried apricot variety, known for its sweetness and suitability for sun-drying) and Kabaaşı (a larger, slightly tart variety often used for fresh consumption and freezing). Other local varieties include Hasanbey and Soğancı.
Yes. Our 12,000 sqm processing plant is situated in Malatya's 2nd Organised Industrial Zone, providing direct proximity to the orchards and a strategic position for logistics via the ports of Mersin and Iskenderun on the Mediterranean coast.
Malatya dried apricots are distinguished by their exceptional sweetness, complex flavour profile, and superior nutritional density. The unique combination of high altitude (900 m), mineral-rich volcanic soil, Euphrates River irrigation, and the native Hacıhaliloğlu cultivar produces fruit that consistently outperforms competing origins like Iran, Uzbekistan, and China in taste tests and chemical analysis.
The apricot harvest in Malatya begins in late July and extends through August. Fresh apricots are hand-picked, halved, pitted, and sun-dried on traditional stone trays. The dried raw material is then transported to processing facilities for washing, grading, and packaging. Early-season orders (September–October) typically benefit from the freshest stock and most competitive pricing.
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