Region by Region Apricot Purchasing: Malatya Districts, Elazığ Baskil and Kahramanmaraş Elbistan

Almost all of Turkey’s dried apricot comes from a narrow geography: Malatya and its neighbouring districts, Elazığ’s Baskil district, and the area around Elbistan in Kahramanmaraş. The vast majority of apricot growers live along this line. This article guides growers who want to sell their produce, starting from their own district: where, what product, and how you sell it.

Rather than who the purchase is made from, how the buyer works matters more; you can also take a look at our Apricot Buying Companies guide for the general process and buyer selection. Below we go through the region district by district.

Malatya Districts — The Main Basin of Apricot

Malatya is the centre of the world’s dried apricot production; the Şire Market is the heart of this trade. Differences in soil, altitude and microclimate among districts are reflected in the character of the product.

• Battalgazi: The central district and the location of the Şire Market. It is among the areas with the highest orchard density and trading volume; this is the heart of the purchasing activity.
• Akçadağ: Known for its high-altitude orchards; inclined toward late-ripening, plump and aromatic apricot. It is one of the region’s strongest apricot districts.
• Darende: Orchards stretching along the Tohma Valley and a traditional drying culture. One of the districts that stands out on the sun-dried side.
• Doğanşehir: A district with high grower numbers, with intensive apricot production around Sürgü and Erkenez.
• Yeşilyurt: A production area close to the centre, known for its well-established apricot orchards.
• Hekimhan: A district on the northern line where, alongside apricot, other branches of agriculture are also present; lots coming from here are also evaluated.
• Arapgir, Pütürge, Kale, Yazıhan, Kuluncak, Arguvan: Production volume varies from district to district; our door is open to purchasing yellow apricot, sun-dried apricot, kernel and shell from these areas as well.

We covered why Malatya’s apricot is different in a separate article, and its geographical indication registration in this article.

Elazığ — Baskil

Baskil, neighbouring the Malatya border and under the moderating effect of the Euphrates, is one of Turkey’s leading apricot districts. It is known for its early harvest and its inclination toward large calibre. We evaluate direct purchases of apricot, kernel and shell coming from Baskil’s centre and villages. Products coming from the Keban, Ağın and Maden area on the Elazığ side are also within scope.

Kahramanmaraş — Elbistan

The Elbistan plain and its surroundings (Afşin, Göksun, Ekinözü) form a line at the western edge of the region where apricot production continues. The high-plain climate gives some lots a different aroma and drying tendency. We also evaluate the produce coming from Elbistan and its surroundings.

Whatever Product You Sell, the Process Is the Same

Whichever district you are in, we evaluate purchasing for all of the following products you have on hand:

• Yellow (sulphured) dried apricot — any calibre
• Sun-dried (unsulphured) apricot
• Apricot kernel — in-shell/kernel, sweet/bitter
• Apricot kernel shell — blasting granule and biomass

Price is not a fixed list; it is determined by calibre, colour, moisture and the sulphured/unsulphured distinction. For this reason, the right approach is to discuss the current value by showing the product — for details you can look at our article on factors determining the price.

How Can You Reach Us From Your District?

All you need to do is: photograph your product, and write and send your district, the product type and the approximate quantity. Stating your region allows us to give you the most accurate and fastest evaluation. You can reach us by phone and WhatsApp from our contact page.

We are ready to talk to growers from every district where apricot is grown; write to us about your region first to get your produce to its true value.