Dried Apricot
The dried fruit of Prunus armeniaca, taken whole or as halves and dried until the flesh is pliable and stable at ambient temperature. It sells into snacking and retail packs, bakery and confectionery fillings, breakfast cereal and bar manufacture, compotes and preserves, infant food, and the traditional dried fruit and nut trade across the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. Sulphured fruit holds a bright orange colour and is the volume article in Western retail; unsulphured fruit dries to a deep brown and dominates the organic and clean label trade. The stone is either removed before drying or pushed out afterwards, and that choice changes the shape, the count and the price.
Listed dried apricot markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Dried apricots are contracted on form and sulphur treatment first, then on a count per unit weight, then on moisture and defect limits verified on a drawn sample.
Product form and preparation
13 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Whole, pittedStone removed, fruit left whole | The premium form. Commands a price over halves because the fruit has to survive stoning intact. |
| HalvesCut in two along the suture, stone removed | The volume article. |
| Whole with stoneStone left in | Traditional in Central Asian trade. Priced on a different weight basis, because the stone is dead weight. |
| Diced or slabCut to a stated dice size, usually oiled to stop it caking | An industrial bakery article. The anti caking agent is declared. |
| Paste and pureeMilled to a stated particle size and moisture | Sold on soluble solids rather than on count. |
| SulphuredTreated with sulphur dioxide, with the residual level declared in milligrams per kilogram | Preserves the light colour. It is a declared allergen in most destination markets and it is capped by regulation, so the number is a contract term, not a process note. |
| Unsulphured, naturalNo sulphur treatment | Darker, and the market prices the colour difference. Required for most organic and clean label buyers. |
| Potassium sorbate treatedTreated to a stated residual level | Extends shelf life at higher moisture. Named on the contract because destination markets differ on what they permit. |
| Sun driedDried in open air at origin, declared | The traditional route. Carries more colour variation and a higher polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon risk where fires are used nearby. |
| Mechanically driedDried in a tunnel, cabinet or belt dryer to a stated moisture | Tighter moisture control and a cleaner microbiological result. |
| Hydrated or tenderisedWater added back to a stated final moisture | Softer eating, heavier, and less stable. It must be declared, because the moisture limit changes with it. |
| OrganicCertified under the destination market scheme, with dedicated drying and packing lines | Named on the contract with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Consumer or industrial packDeclared, with the unit format | Industrial bulk and retail pack are separate products with separate specifications, not the same fruit in different boxes. |
Size and count
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Count per kilogramNumber of pieces in one kilogram | The controlling size term. A lower count means a larger fruit and a higher price. |
| Count per 500 gramsNumber of pieces in half a kilogram | Used in the Turkish trade, where the ladder runs in named bands from jumbo down. |
| Named size bandsJumbo, extra large, large, medium, small, industrial, each tied to a stated count range | The band is a label for a count. The contract carries the count, not just the name. |
| DiameterMillimetres across the widest point, where a screen is contracted | Used for halves sorted over a slotted screen. |
| Weight of individual fruitGrams per piece, minimum and average | Contracted where the buyer sells by the piece. |
Quality and condition
10 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Moisture contentMaximum percentage by mass, by the stated method | The controlling commercial figure. It sets the weight, the shelf life and the mould risk all at once. |
| Water activityMaximum, measured at a stated temperature | The figure that actually governs microbial stability. Moisture alone will not tell you whether a lot is safe to hold. |
| UniformityPercentage of the sample within the contracted size and colour range | Measured on the drawn sample. |
| ColourAgainst a sealed reference sample, or an instrumental scale where one is contracted | Measured, not described. |
| Damaged and blemished unitsMaximum percentage by count or by mass | Mechanical damage, scarring, sunburn and discolouration, counted separately from decay. |
| Decay, mould and fermentationMaximum percentage by count or by mass | A zero tolerance term in most contracts, with a small allowance stated. |
| Insect damage and live infestationMaximum percentage by count, live insects nil | Determined by inspection of a drawn sample. Live infestation rejects a lot outright. |
| Foreign and extraneous matterMaximum percentage by mass | Stems, stones, leaves, sand, wood and any plant material other than the named fruit. |
| Pieces of the wrong formMaximum percentage by mass | Halves in a whole lot, broken pieces in a halves lot, and so on. Priced, because it is the most common quiet downgrade. |
| Sugaring and crystallisationMaximum percentage of units showing surface sugar | Cosmetic, but it is priced, and it moves with storage temperature rather than with the original quality. |
Contaminants and food safety
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| AflatoxinsMicrograms per kilogram, B1 and total | Tested against the destination market limit. The single most common cause of rejection in dried fruit. |
| Sulphur dioxideMilligrams per kilogram | Measured whether or not the lot is declared sulphured, because carryover happens on shared lines. A declared allergen in most destination markets. |
| Pesticide residuesMilligrams per kilogram | Tested against destination market maximum residue limits. Dried fruit concentrates residues along with everything else, so the limit is applied to the dried product. |
| Heavy metalsMilligrams per kilogram | Lead, cadmium and arsenic. |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsMicrograms per kilogram, benzo(a)pyrene and the sum of four | Comes from direct fire drying and smoke contact at origin. |
| MicrobiologyCounts per gram, with salmonella absence in the stated sample mass | Total plate count, yeasts, moulds, E. coli and salmonella. |
| Metal detection and X-rayDeclared detection thresholds for ferrous, non ferrous and stainless | Applied on the packing line and evidenced on the certificate. |
| IrradiationDeclared, treated or untreated | Destination markets differ on what they permit and on how it must be labelled. |
Certification and packing claims
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sulphur declarationStated on the label in the destination format | Sulphur dioxide above the destination threshold is a declared allergen. The label wording is agreed before the lot is packed. |
| OrganicCertificate under the destination market scheme | EU, NOP, JAS or an equivalence arrangement, named with the certifier and certificate number. |
| Fairtrade or equivalentCertificate and transaction certificate | Named scheme, with the transaction certificate issued for the specific lot. |
| Kosher and HalalCertificate from the named authority | Certificate travels with the lot. |
| Food safety schemeBRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000 or an equivalent, named with the site | The packing site is named on the contract, not just the supplier. |
| Non GMODeclaration | Applies where the crop has a genetically modified counterpart. |
| PackingDeclared: carton, bag in box, vacuum, modified atmosphere or bulk bin, with the liner and net weight | Liner and atmosphere are contract terms, because they decide the moisture and the water activity on arrival rather than on shipment. |
| Storage and transit temperatureDeclared, with the range and the monitoring method | Sugaring, colour drift and moisture migration are all temperature effects. Where the contract is silent, the argument at destination is unwinnable. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Turkiye | Malatya, Elazig and the Anatolian plateau | Origin and destination |
| Uzbekistan | Fergana valley and Samarkand | Origin and destination |
| Tajikistan | Sughd and the Zarafshan valley | Origin and destination |
| Afghanistan | Herat, Badakhshan and the northern provinces | Origin and destination |
| Iran | Khorasan and the central plateau | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Western Cape | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Riverland, South Australia | Origin and destination |
| United States | California and Washington | Origin and destination |
| Chile | Central valley | Origin and destination |
| Argentina | Mendoza and San Juan | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Murcia and Valencia | Origin and destination |
| France | Rhone valley | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Campania, Emilia Romagna | Origin and destination |
| Greece | Central Macedonia | Origin and destination |
| Germany | Hamburg and the Rhine, processing and distribution | Destination |
| Netherlands | Rotterdam | Destination |
| United Kingdom | London and Felixstowe | Destination |
| Poland | Central Poland, repacking and confectionery | Destination |
| Russia | Moscow and St Petersburg | Destination |
| Ukraine | Odesa and Kyiv | Destination |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai, regional redistribution | Origin and destination |
| Saudi Arabia | Jeddah and Riyadh | Destination |
| India | Mumbai and Delhi | Destination |
| China | Shanghai and Guangzhou | Destination |
| Japan | Tokyo and Osaka | Destination |
| South Korea | Busan | Destination |
| Canada | Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal | Destination |
| Brazil | Santos | Destination |
| Mexico | Veracruz and Manzanillo | Destination |
| Australia (import) | Sydney and Melbourne | Destination |
| Egypt | Alexandria | Destination |
| Turkiye (processing) | Izmir, packing and export | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the crop is taken at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is processing, grading and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkiye | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jul to Aug, arrival Sep to FebMalatya is the reference origin for the sulphured trade. The crop is dried in July and August and ships from the autumn through to the following crop, so the market is a carry market for most of the year. | ||||
| Uzbekistan | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to NovFergana valley fruit, largely sun dried and unsulphured, moving overland and by rail. | ||||||
| Tajikistan | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to NovSughd and the Zarafshan valley. Natural dried, dark, and traded heavily into Russia and Central Asia. | ||||||
| Afghanistan | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to DecHerat and the northern provinces. Ships through Pakistan, Iran and Central Asia. | |||||
| Iran | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to NovKhorasan and the central plateau. | ||||||
| South Africa | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest Nov to Jan, arrival Feb to MayWestern Cape. A southern hemisphere crop, so it lands in the northern hemisphere gap. | |||||
| Australia | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Dec to Feb, arrival Mar to JunRiverland. Small, high specification, and mostly consumed domestically or in Asia. | |||||
| United States | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to NovCalifornia and Washington. Largely sulphured, largely domestic. | ||||||
| Chile | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest Dec to Feb, arrival Mar to MayCentral valley. Southern hemisphere counter season supply. | ||||||
| Spain | Harvest | Harvest | Arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Jul, arrival Aug to OctMurcia and Valencia, mostly into European retail. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for dried apricot. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading0813.10 Apricots, dried
- PackingCartons of 5 kg to 12.5 kg or PP bags of 10 kg to 25 kg with food grade liner. Sulphur dioxide treatment, sorbate treatment and any added oil must be declared on the specification and the label.
- Container loading20ft: 12 t to 18 t. 40ft is normally volume limited. Chilled stow for high moisture grades such as soft prunes and semi dried figs.
- Contract and arbitrationINC and Dried Fruit and Edible Nut trade standards, European trade on the trade contract with arbitration in London, United States trade on Association of Food Industries contracts.
- Destination limitsEU sulphur dioxide limits under Regulation 1333/2008 with mandatory declaration above 10 mg/kg, ochratoxin A limits on dried vine fruit and aflatoxin limits on dried figs under Regulation 2023/915, and pesticide MRLs under Regulation 396/2005. US FDA requires sulphite declaration.
Common questions
What grades of dried apricot does SIP Global trade?
We quote 44 published grades of dried apricot, including Whole, pitted - Stone removed, fruit left whole, Halves - Cut in two along the suture, stone removed, Whole with stone - Stone left in, Diced or slab - Cut to a stated dice size, usually oiled to stop it caking, Paste and puree - Milled to a stated particle size and moisture and Sulphured - Treated with sulphur dioxide, with the residual level declared in milligrams per kilogram. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is dried apricot graded?
Dried apricots are contracted on form and sulphur treatment first, then on a count per unit weight, then on moisture and defect limits verified on a drawn sample. Grading runs on 5 systems: Product form and preparation, Size and count, Quality and condition, Contaminants and food safety and Certification and packing claims.
Where does SIP Global trade dried apricot?
We trade dried apricot in Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Iran, South Africa, Australia and United States and 24 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is dried apricot harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Turkiye: harvest jul to aug, arrival sep to feb; Uzbekistan: harvest jun to jul, arrival aug to nov; Tajikistan: harvest jun to jul, arrival aug to nov; Afghanistan: harvest jun to jul, arrival aug to dec; Iran: harvest jun to jul, arrival aug to nov. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for dried apricot?
Dried apricot is normally classified under HS 0813.10 (apricots, dried). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for dried apricot?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed dried apricot market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- Codex AlimentariusFAO and WHO food standards
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.