A recent article published on Fruchtportal in Germany has highlighted Uzbekistan's potential to become the second-largest exporter of fresh apricots in 2023.
According to the report, the Central Asian country is expected to experience a record harvest of apricots this year, significantly boosting its exports and placing it among the world's leading apricot producers. However, the current price of apricots in the country remains at historically low levels, only lower than in 2020 when exports were temporarily halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Experts at EastFruit have disclosed that Uzbekistan has already sold approximately 40,000 tons of apricots to foreign markets in the first two months of the season, which is 5.4 times higher than last year. They predict that the country will be able to sell at least 65-70,000 tons of apricot to foreign markets during the season, possibly exceeding 75,000 tons.
Meanwhile, Spain is expected to export no more than 60,000 tons of products this year, and Italy around 45,000 tons.
Exports from Türkiye may exceed 100,000 tons of fresh apricot for the first time, particularly as this country will be able to purchase many cheap dried apricots in Central Asia, including Uzbekistan. As a result, a more significant portion of the production will be sent to the fresh market.
The primary reason Uzbekistan may emerge as the second-largest exporter of fresh apricots by the end of the season is due to the lower-than-expected apricot harvest in Italy and Spain in 2023, making Uzbekistan's exports more significant. Additionally, competitive pricing has made Uzbekistan's apricots more attractive than those in Europe, where prices remain relatively high.
Economic challenges and declining incomes of the population in Russia have also increased demand for cheaper products, making Uzbekistan's cheaper apricots more desirable.
EastFruit experts predict that with the abundant apricot harvest, Uzbekistan will also increase its production of dried apricots throughout the season, further impacting the market.
Fruchtportal.de is Europe's foremost electronic information portal in the German language, providing coverage of international trade in fruits and vegetables. It attracts an average of 450,000 monthly users.
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