The term "Turkish dried apricot" has become synonymous with premium quality in international trade. Turkey's position as the world's top producer and exporter means that buyers seeking the best dried apricots naturally turn to Turkish suppliers. IFS Food has been delivering authentic Turkish dried apricots to discerning importers since 1985.
What Defines a Turkish Dried Apricot
Turkish dried apricots are distinguished by their deep sweetness, chewy texture, and vibrant colour (in sulphured varieties) or rich amber tone (in natural varieties). The Hacıhaliloğlu cultivar — native to Malatya — is considered the finest drying apricot in the world, producing fruit with high sugar content and optimal firmness when dried. Traditional sun-drying on stone or concrete trays, combined with modern post-harvest sorting and quality control, creates a product that commands a premium in global markets.
Grades, Sizes & Specifications
Turkish dried apricots are graded by the number of fruit pieces per kilogram: Size 1 (jumbo, fewer than 80 pieces/kg) through Size 5 (small, 180+ pieces/kg). Buyers typically specify moisture content (18–25 %), SO2 level (for sulphured types, maximum 2,000 ppm per EU regulation), and defect tolerance. IFS Food supplies all standard grades and can customise specifications to match your market requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Quality varies significantly depending on the processor's facility standards, sourcing practices, and certification status. Buyers should look for GFSI-recognised certifications like BRCGS or IFS Food to ensure consistent food safety and quality management. IFS Food's BRCGS AA+ grade represents the highest level of assurance.
Sizes are determined by counting the number of dried apricot halves per kilogram. Size 1 (jumbo) contains fewer than 80 pieces/kg, while Size 5 contains more than 180 pieces/kg. Larger sizes generally command higher prices due to their visual appeal and premium positioning in retail.
In most cases, yes. Send us your current specification sheet and we will evaluate whether we can match or improve upon it. Our quality team regularly benchmarks against competitor samples and can recommend optimisations based on our processing capabilities.
Properly packaged Turkish dried apricots have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months from the date of production when stored below 15 °C in a cool, dry environment. Sulphured varieties tend to maintain colour and texture longer than unsulphured ones. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum sealing can further extend shelf life for retail and food-service applications.
Turkish dried apricots offer an unmatched combination of quality, volume, and supply reliability. Turkey produces over 90% of the world's dried apricots, ensuring year-round availability. The Malatya origin provides superior sweetness and nutritional density. Established infrastructure, GFSI-certified facilities, and experienced export companies like IFS Food make Turkey the most dependable sourcing origin for dried apricots globally.
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