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Ramazan Özcan, Chairperson of Malatya Commodity Exchange, stated that both the fruit and the kernel of apricots are exported.
Explaining that the apricot kernel creates its own market, Özcan said;
“Apricot kernels are one of the most important competitors of American almonds. Therefore, we closely monitor and control kernel exports. By exporting 605 tonnes of kernels between August 1-31, we brought income of 1 million 619 thousand dollars to the country’s and regional economy. We succeeded in increasing the amount and income in dried apricot exports in apricot kernels as well. We care about kernel exports.”
Noting that the apricot kernel has become an important source of income for the producer, Özcan continued as follows;
“Apricot kernels have an important place in meeting the cost items of the producers. Everything about the apricot is very valuable now. On the one hand, we sold the apricots for table use, on the other hand, a serious income was obtained by selling the product, which we describe as a concentrated product, scrap (which goes to fruit juice). So its kernel has become one of the export products that make Malatya province happy.”
Demand triggers prices…
Yeşilyurt District Chamber of Agriculture Chairperson Doğan Solmaz pointed out that most of the apricot kernels produced in the province were exported abroad and said that the price hike in the kernel had a positive effect on the export figures.
Indicating that the kernel prices entered the new season with an increase, Solmaz added, “At the beginning of the season, the price of apricot kernels in shell was between 5 and 5,50 liras, but when the demand increased, the prices started to rise. Nowadays, the price of shelled apricot kernels is between 8 liras and 8,50 liras. Exports are the main reason for this. By exporting to European and American countries, income is provided to our country.”
