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Apricot seed contributes 20 million dollars to Malatya’s economy annually.
In Malatya, the capital of apricots, apricot seed contributes to the economy of the province. In addition to the apricot, its shells and seeds are used in various sectors. Malatya Commodity Exchange Chairman Ramazan Özcan said that the annual contribution of apricot seeds to the province is 20 million dollars.
The seed obtained from apricots, which is the livelihood of about 50 thousand families, also contributes to the economy of Malatya. In the province, where an average of 85 thousand tons of dried apricots are exported annually, 20 thousand tons of shelled seeds are obtained. The remaining part of the seed is also evaluated in different areas. Apricot seeds and shells are separated in factories where crushing is done. The seed and shell of the apricot are used in different sectors after they are sifted. While the apricot seed shell is used in the cosmetics industry for the protection and maintenance of the outer surfaces of the tanks’ armour, inner seeds of apricots mostly evaluated as nuts. While the kilogram of the seed is sold for 90 kurush with its shell this year, inner seed is sold for 18 TL per kilogram. An income of 5 million dollars was obtained from apricot seeds, which was exported 2.5 tons from January to August.
Commodity Exchange Chairman Ramazan Özcan stated that the estimated yield of dried apricots is approximately 85 thousand tons this year and said, “In parallel with the 85 thousand tons of dried apricot harvest, approximately 20 thousand tons of seed yield is obtained.”
Özcan added, “This year, there are an average of 20 thousand tons of apricot seeds without the shell. This contributes about 20 million dollars to the provincial economy. It appears that this year a period in which the producers are much happier will begin with the yield in the crop and the yield in exports.”
