Apricot (Prunus Armeniaca) is a small tree with a dense, spreading canopy. The leaves are ovate and long with a rounded base, a pointed tip and serrated margin. The pinkish-white flowers blossom before the leaves. The fruit bears very short hairs and is yellow-orange in colour. Accounting for 20% of global production, Turkey is the biggest producer with 500,000 tons ahead of Iran, Italy, Pakistan and Spain. The biggest exporters of fresh apricots are France, Spain, Italy, Greece and USA. Turkey supplies 70% of dried apricots in the world. Varieties suitable for fresh consumption demanded by foreign markets must be planted to increase Turkey’s share in the fresh apricot market. The climate of Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coastline presents opportunities in expanding plantations aimed at early maturing fresh apricots.

Mogador

Mogador is a cultivar which has a semi-broad canopy structure and high yield. The fruit is round and has a red blush of about 60% on an orange background. It is one of the most popular among early maturing varieties. The taste is rich and balanced.

Bebeko

The fruit is large and bright yellow, making it an attractive fresh consumption cultivar. It is suitable for transport which makes it a sought-after variety by exporters. The tree grows fast and a mature tree can give up to 100-150 kg of fruit.

Trintina

Trintina is a variety which originates from Greece. The tree is vigorous and has a spreading canopy. The fruit is medium in size and has an orange-red blush on a yellow background. The flesh is yellow, firm and juicy. The fruit ripens in early June in the climatic conditions of Bursa in the northwest of Turkey. Offering the advantage of quick maturation, plantations are expanding along the coastline of the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.

Ninfa

Ninfa is an Italian cultivar. The tree is not as vigorous but has a spreading canopy and continuous, high yield. Fruit develops on branches older than a year. The fruit is medium sized, round and yellow in colour with indistinct reddish blush. The flesh is yellow and quite firm. The fruit reaches maturation in mid-April in the Çukurova region. This variety is self-pollinating and produces medium sized, round fruit which has a moderate flavour. The size of the stone is independent from the amount of flesh. Ninfa is very resistant to frost, withstanding temperatures of up to -35oC . In the Mediterranean region, the fruit is harvested in the third week of May. Unit weight is around 50 gr.

Orange Ruby

The trees are vigorous and grow semi-vertically. The fruit is oval in shape and round at the centre. The skin is an attractive and bright red on an orange background. The flesh of the juicy fruit is an appealing dark orange. The stone is medium sized and easily separates from the flesh. Orange Ruby has a rich and balanced flavour. Maturing early, just after Precoce De Tryinthe, Orange Ruby fetches good prices at the market. The variety is self-pollinating.

Şekerpare

This is a local variety which is suitable for drying and fresh consumption. The tree is vigorous with a broad canopy. The fruit weighs 25-30 gr. One side is flat with a pronounced vertical line. The skin bears bright red blushes on a yellow-orange background. The flesh is yellow-orange, juicy, sweet and aromatic. The stone is large and elongated. This variety reaches maturation in the second week of June in the Mediterranean Region. Şekerpare is the sweetest apricot variety in the world with BRIX figures ranging from 12 during pre-maturation to over 30 at maturation. Şekerpare stands out with its unique aroma, the red blushes on either side and small size. Dried apricots are only made from this variety.

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