Apricot Production by Country 2026

The Top Apricot-Producing Countries

Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Iran are the world’s leading apricot producers by a considerable margin. In 2022, Turkey harvested more than 803,000 tonnes of apricots, followed by Uzbekistan with 451,263 tonnes and Iran with 305,932 tonnes. Together, these three countries produced well over 1.5 million tonnes, making them the clear leaders in global apricot cultivation.

Several factors help explain their dominance. All three countries have climates well suited to apricot trees, including hot, dry summers and relatively mild growing seasons. Turkey’s Malatya region is particularly famous for apricot production and is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier apricot-growing areas. Uzbekistan and Iran likewise benefit from extensive orchard acreage, favorable continental climates, and long agricultural traditions centered on fruit cultivation. These advantages have helped establish all three countries as major suppliers to both domestic and international markets.

Other Major Apricot Producers

Beyond the top three, several countries maintain substantial apricot industries. Italy and Algeria each produce more than 200,000 tonnes annually, while Pakistan and Afghanistan harvest well over 170,000 tonnes. Other leading producers include France, Armenia, Greece, Japan, Russia, and Spain, all of which contribute significantly to global output.

What many of these countries have in common is a climate favorable to stone-fruit cultivation. Most are located within a broad region stretching from Southern Europe and North Africa through the Middle East and Central Asia. Warm summers, relatively dry harvest seasons, and long-established orchard traditions help support commercial apricot production. As a result, the world’s largest apricot-producing countries tend to be concentrated in regions where both climate and agricultural experience favor the crop.