Apricot seeds, a product with a geographical indication registration certificate from Malatya, which was affected by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaras, were exported in 9 months with an amount of 3 thousand 424 tons and an income of $11 million 500 thousand was obtained.
In Malatya, where most of the world’s dried apricot production takes place, foreign currency inflow is provided to the city from the export of seeds as well as apricots.
Malatya Commodity Exchange President Ramazan Ozcan said that the export of registered seeds, along with dried apricots, continues.
Stating that 90% of the seeds are sold abroad, just like dried apricots, Ozcan said, “Nearly 100% of the apricot seeds are exported to European countries. Italy is our most important buyer. Apricot kernel is a product used in the industrial sector, mostly in the pastry sector, in Europe. Bread and cookie making has an important place in the taste of Europeans.”
Pointing out that there are periodic declines in seed exports and that there may be different reasons for this, Ozcan continued as follows:
“We have to establish market prices commensurate with almond prices. In recent years, almonds have yielded high yields in America, and we have seen a partial slowdown in apricot kernels. This year, we are maintaining the export amount and seriously increasing the export figures. In September, we earned an income of $1 million for the export of 327 tons of apricot seeds. Europe is a very valuable market for us and we are trying to protect this market. Because we now have competitors in dried apricots and seeds in Central Asia. We are fighting to protect existing markets. At the end of the third quarter, we earned an income of $11 million 500 thousand in return for 3 thousand 424 tons of core exports.”
Year-end target for exports is 5 thousand tons
Ozcan also stated that apricot seeds are an important income item that partially covers the production costs of farmers.
Stating that the average export price of beans is over €3, Ozcan said, “In the past, core export figures were lower than today’s figures. When we look at the price per kilogram today, we are now exporting for €3. We plan to close exports with 5 thousand tons by the end of the year. Exporting 5 thousand tons of cores in a year is important for us.”
Source: AA / Prepared by Irem Yildiz