Malatya Apricot is a EU-registered Geographical Indication (PGI/IGP) accounting for 70+ percent of world dried apricot supply. The 2026 Malatya Kayisi season features Hacihaliloglu, Kabaasi, Soganli and Hasanbey varieties cultivated across Battalgazi, Yesilyurt, Akcadag, Dogansehir, Kuluncak and Arapgir micro-climates 800-1500 m. Sun-dried natural gun kurusu and sulphured golden SO2 2000-3500 ppm grades, USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 organic certified, BRCGS AA, IFS, FSSC 22000, FDA FSMA and EU 2023/915 aflatoxin B1 below 8 mcg/kg compliant. Sizing No 1-8 jumbo to industrial diced 8-10 mm, paste and 25 Brix puree from FOB Mersin, FCA Izmir or DAP EU warehouses with 100k T annual export volume.
Malatya province produces 70+ percent of the world's dried apricot supply, with 100,000+ metric tons exported annually to Germany, USA, France, UK, Russia, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. The Malatya Kayisi PGI registration covers the historic Hacihaliloglu variety (extra-aromatic, sweet-tart balance) plus Kabaasi, Soganli and Hasanbey. Cultivation spans Battalgazi, Yesilyurt, Akcadag, Dogansehir, Kuluncak, Arapgir and Hekimhan districts at 800-1500 m altitudes, where wide diurnal temperature swings concentrate sugars and acids for the signature Malatya flavor profile.
2026 processing splits into three main grades: sun-dried natural (gun kurusu, dark amber, no SO2, USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 organic), sulphured golden (SO2 2000, 2500 or 3500 ppm, bright orange premium), and industrial diced (8-10 mm cuts, paste, and 25 Brix puree for bakery, dairy and infant-food OEMs). Traceability is mandatory grower-to-FCL with BRCGS AA, IFS Higher Level, FSSC 22000, FDA FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification and SMETA 4-Pillar audit. Aflatoxin B1 is maintained below 8 mcg/kg per EU 2023/915 with third-party SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins pre-shipment testing.
Export quotes are USD or EUR per kilogram, FOB Mersin or Iskenderun port, FCA Izmir, FOB Istanbul Ambarli or DAP EU warehouses (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp). MOQ is 5 metric tons for trial shipments and 22 metric tons (one 40 ft FCL with 5 kg cartons) for serial. Halal, Kosher and Vegan certified for confectionery, energy-bar, breakfast-cereal, baby-food and bakery customers globally with private-label OEM and bulk B2B options.
EU PGI/IGP-registered variety from Malatya orchards at 800-1500 m delivers the signature sweet-tart balance, dense flesh and bright golden color preferred by global confectionery and bakery OEMs.
Two parallel processing lines: sulphured golden SO2 2000-3500 ppm for premium retail, and sun-dried natural gun kurusu USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 organic for clean-label and infant-food channels.
Every FCL is third-party tested for aflatoxin B1 and total per EU 2023/915, FDA FSMA and BRCGS AA, with SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins certificate of analysis (CoA) attached to bill-of-lading.
Ten verified Malatya processing grades from sulphured golden Jumbo No 1 retail premium and USDA NOP organic sun-dried natural to industrial diced 8-10 mm, aseptic 25 Brix paste/puree, retail private-label 250-1000 g pouch, traditional pestil leather, sulphite-free vegan and spray/freeze-dried powder.
The flagship Malatya variety, sulphured to bright golden orange with SO2 2000 ppm, sized Jumbo No 1 (90-100 pcs/kg) and Jumbo No 2 (110-130 pcs/kg). Soft, plump and aromatic; preferred by Tesco, Lidl, Aldi, Edeka, Carrefour and Whole Foods premium retail. Packed 5 kg cartons in 22 t FCL. EUR 4.40-6.80/kg FOB Mersin with full BRCGS AA, IFS, FSSC 22000 traceability.
Pesticide-free Hacihaliloglu certified by Control Union, Ecocert IMO and CCPB to USDA NOP, EU 2018/848 organic and JAS. Sun-dried natural gun kurusu (no SO2), dark amber color, dense chewy texture. Sized No 2-3 (110-150 pcs/kg). Premium for Whole Foods, Sprouts, Bio Company, Naturalia and infant-food OEMs. EUR 6.20-9.50/kg FOB Mersin with NOP and EU 2018/848 certificates.
Larger-fruited Kabaasi variety from Akcadag and Dogansehir orchards, sulphured to SO2 2500 ppm, sized No 3-4 (140-180 pcs/kg). Slightly firmer texture preferred for chocolate-coated apricot, energy-bar inclusions, granola and trail-mix. Major buyers include Mondelez, Nestle, Lindt and General Mills B2B. EUR 3.80-5.20/kg FOB Mersin in 12.5 kg cartons or 22 t FCL bulk.
Industrial-grade Soganli variety, smaller-fruited (180-260 pcs/kg) with SO2 3500 ppm for extended shelf life. Used by industrial bakery (Ulker, Eti, Solen), breakfast cereal (Kellogg, Quaker), yogurt and dairy OEMs. EUR 2.80-3.90/kg FOB Mersin in 12.5 kg or 25 kg bulk cartons. Ships 22 t FCL or 25 t bulk container.
Hasanbey variety from Arapgir and Kuluncak high-altitude orchards (1200-1500 m), sun-dried natural without sulphur. Sized No 3-5 (140-200 pcs/kg) with deep amber-brown color and concentrated tartness. USDA NOP, EU 2018/848 and JAS organic. Premium for clean-label snacks, raw food and macrobiotic OEMs. EUR 5.40-8.20/kg FOB Mersin with full PGI traceability.
Hacihaliloglu and Soganli sulphured apricot diced to 8 mm or 10 mm cubes, dusted with rice flour or oat flour for free-flowing behavior in industrial muffin, scone, granola-bar and yogurt lines. Moisture controlled 18-22 percent, water activity below 0.65. EUR 3.20-4.60/kg in 10 kg vacuum bag. Ships 22 t FCL with FSSC 22000 + IFS Higher Level audit trail.
Hacihaliloglu paste and puree concentrated to 25 Brix in aseptic 220 kg steel drum (PET aseptic bag) for Danone, Yoplait, Hipp, Hero Baby and Heinz infant-food OEMs. Single-strength NFC option also available. EUR 1.80-3.20/kg in 220 kg drum, 80 drums (17.6 t) per FCL. Halal, Kosher, USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 organic options.
By-product Hacihaliloglu apricot kernel (kayisi cekirdegi) sorted into bitter (B17/amygdalin specialty) and sweet (food-grade snack and oil-press) grades. Bitter kernel EUR 14.00-22.00/kg, sweet kernel EUR 6.50-9.80/kg. Bitter sold for cosmetic apricot oil and traditional medicine; sweet for amaretti, marzipan, apricot oil and snack roasted. 25 kg jute bag or 10 kg carton.
Custom private-label retail packs for European and US chains: 250 g and 500 g resealable stand-up pouch with EU food-info regulation 1169/2011 labeling, MOQ 24000 pouches per SKU. 1 kg flow-pack option. Multi-language back-of-pack and EAN-13 / GTIN coding. EUR 5.20-9.40/kg final cost depending on pouch and label spec. Lead time 4-6 weeks from artwork approval.
Traditional Malatya apricot leather (kayisi pestili) made from 25 Brix puree dehydrated to 14-16 percent moisture in 30x40 cm sheets. Single-ingredient apricot or with walnut/almond inclusion. Plus modern compressed apricot snack bar (40-60 g) in flow-pack for retail. EUR 7.40-12.50/kg. 5 kg carton, 22 t FCL, BRCGS AA + Vegan + Kosher certified.
Hacihaliloglu and Hasanbey sun-dried natural sulphite-free whole apricot, soft dark amber color, sized No 1-3 (90-150 pcs/kg). Premium for Whole Foods 365, Trader Joe's, Marks & Spencer Plant Kitchen and Veganz private label. EUR 7.20-11.50/kg in 5 kg carton with Vegan, Kosher, Halal, USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 organic certificates. Aw 0.62-0.68 for 12-month ambient shelf life.
Spray-dried apricot powder (with maltodextrin carrier) and pure freeze-dried apricot powder for smoothie blends, bakery, ice-cream, plant-based yogurt and supplement formulators. Spray-dried EUR 9.50-14.00/kg, freeze-dried EUR 28-42/kg. Particle size 100-300 microns. 20 kg fiber drum or 10 kg foil bag with N2 flush. FSSC 22000 + Halal + Kosher.
2026 Malatya apricot exports stack EU PGI/IGP origin protection, USDA NOP + EU 2018/848 + JAS organic triple-cert, BRCGS AA + IFS Higher Level + FSSC 22000 V6 GFSI food safety, FDA FSMA + Foreign Supplier Verification, EU 2023/915 aflatoxin B1 below 8 mcg/kg, Halal HAK + Kosher OU/OK + Vegan V-Label, SMETA 4-Pillar ethical and ISO 14001 + carbon-neutral lot options.
From Battalgazi-Yesilyurt central Hacihaliloglu heartland (800-1100 m) and Akcadag-Dogansehir Kabaasi industrial belt (900-1300 m) to Kuluncak-Arapgir premium organic high altitude (1200-1500 m), Hekimhan-Darende cold-chain processing, Mersin Free Zone FOB hub and Izmir-Istanbul Ambarli secondary export routes.
Historic Hacihaliloglu heartland on the alluvial Tohma and Euphrates basin. Battalgazi (formerly Eski Malatya) and Yesilyurt districts produce the largest single share of Malatya Apricot PGI volume. Soil structure: sandy-loam over limestone with high CaCO3, ideal for thick-skin Hacihaliloglu fruit. Late-March bloom, July-August sun-dry on cement-and-canvas drying yards (orgu). Major MAYIB cooperative members and BRCGS AA processors clustered here.
Higher-altitude Kabaasi and Hasanbey orchards on volcanic-basalt and clay-loam soils. Cooler nights produce slower sugar accumulation and a denser, firmer fruit favored by industrial bakery (Mondelez, Nestle, Solen) and chocolate-coated apricot OEMs. SMETA 4-Pillar audit standard, with strong cooperative grower base and SO2 2500-3500 ppm sulphuring chambers for Kabaasi industrial-grade processing.
Premium high-altitude organic Hasanbey and Hacihaliloglu zone. Cool dry summers and ample sunshine deliver low pesticide pressure (USDA NOP and EU 2018/848 native-organic conversion since 1995). Smaller sub-100 ha orchards organized via Arapgir Producers Group with Control Union, Ecocert IMO and JAS organic certificates. Premium for Whole Foods 365, Naturalia, Hipp infant food and clean-label OEMs.
Mixed Hacihaliloglu and Soganli orchards on rolling limestone hills. Strong cold-chain and packing infrastructure with FSSC 22000 V6 certified plants serving Eastern European markets (Romania, Bulgaria, Poland, Czechia) via Trakya land transit. SO2 2000-2500 ppm sulphured golden grade plus increasing volumes of organic conversion 2024-2026 for German bio-channel customers.
Mersin International Port (MIP) is the primary FOB export gateway for Malatya dried apricot 22 t FCL shipments to EU, US, Russia and GCC. Mersin Free Zone (MEFZ) hosts blending, sulphuring, packing and private-label finishing facilities with FDA FSMA, BRCGS AA and IFS Higher Level audit. Reefer-container access for paste/puree 220 kg drum FCL plus EU TRACES-NT digital documentation for organic shipments.
Izmir Aliaga and Istanbul Ambarli ports serve as alternative FOB/FCA gateways for Malatya apricot when Mersin congested or for combined-load consolidation with hazelnut, fig, sultana and pistachio pallets. Faster transit to North-Europe (Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp) at 7-9 days short-sea or DAP truck via Edirne-Kapikule in 4-5 days. Bonded warehouses at Halkali and Kemalpasa for export stock buffer.
Six-step playbook from variety/grade/sulphur specification, aflatoxin and pesticide pre-shipment ISO 17025 testing, packing/cartons/FCL loading, EUR 1 + TRACES-NT + FDA Prior Notice documentation, Mersin/Izmir/Ambarli Incoterms and pre-shipment buyer inspection.
Choose variety (Hacihaliloglu premium, Kabaasi confectionery, Soganli industrial, Hasanbey high-altitude organic), processing grade (sulphured golden SO2 2000/2500/3500 ppm, sun-dried natural gun kurusu, USDA NOP organic) and sizing (Jumbo No 1-3, industrial No 4-6, diced 8-10 mm, paste 25 Brix). FromTurk-verified Malatya processors send 200 g sample within 5-7 working days from confirmed brief.
Each lot is third-party tested for aflatoxin B1 (max 8 mcg/kg) and total (max 10 mcg/kg) per EU 2023/915, plus 600+ pesticide residues, SO2 ppm, moisture, water activity (aw) and microbiology (yeast, mold, E. coli, Salmonella). SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Eurofins ISO 17025 accredited lab CoA accompanies every B/L for 2026 EU and US customs clearance.
Standard 5 kg or 12.5 kg double-corrugated carton with PE inner liner, palletized 22 t per 40 ft FCL with 1000 cartons, or 25 t bulk in 25 kg carton. Premium retail uses 250 g/500 g/1 kg stand-up pouch private-label with EU 1169/2011 labeling. Paste/puree in 220 kg aseptic steel drum with sterile PET aseptic bag liner; 80 drums per FCL = 17.6 t.
Standard export documents: commercial invoice, packing list, B/L, EUR 1 certificate of origin (Turkey-EU customs union, 0 percent duty), phytosanitary certificate, BRCGS AA + IFS + FSSC 22000 certificates, USDA NOP/EU 2018/848 organic + TRACES-NT for organic. US shipments add FDA Prior Notice and FSMA FSVP letter. GCC adds Halal HAK and SASO conformity.
FOB Mersin port (primary, 4-7 days short-sea to Trieste/Koper, 12-15 days to Hamburg/Rotterdam, 18-22 days to US East Coast). FCA Izmir Aliaga (alternative). FOB Istanbul Ambarli (combined-load with hazelnut/fig/sultana). DAP EU warehouse (truck via Edirne-Kapikule, 4-5 days to Germany). Reefer container at 5-15 C for paste/puree drum lots.
Optional pre-shipment buyer inspection by SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek per AQL 2.5 sampling at processor warehouse 7-10 days before B/L. Quality hold release: visual color/size, moisture, aw, SO2, microbiology, sensory panel. After approval, FCL is sealed with buyer-witness photo/video and dispatched. Optional QR-code lot traceability for end-consumer transparency.
PGI scope, sulphured vs natural, aflatoxin EU 2023/915 limits, EUR pricing, MOQ and FCL loading, EU/US/GCC certifications, ports and Incoterms, plus private-label retail pack 2026 program.
Malatya apricot buyers commonly bundle Gaziantep Antep Pistachios PDO and Ayvalik / Edremit extra-virgin olive oil for combined Mediterranean health-snack and gourmet shipments via Mersin / Izmir Aliaga FCL consolidation.
For confectionery, infant-food and bakery industrial-tier customers, parallel sourcing of Turkish dried fruit hub (figs, sultana, mulberry, sour cherry, prune) and food category overview programs streamlines the 2026 PPAP-style supplier qualification.
Malatya processor visits to Bursa OIZ, Istanbul IMES and Cappadocia for buyer-audit trips often include Cappadocia hot-air balloon and Istanbul Bosphorus cruise hospitality, with optional dental implant and DHI Sapphire hair transplant medical-tourism extensions for visiting decision makers.