Türkiye Overtakes Uzbekistan in Apricot Supply to the Urals

The Urals have received their first shipments of fresh seasonal fruit — apricots and cherries. According to the Ural Customs Service, this year’s early deliveries show a significant shift in supplier geography.

Uzbekistan sent the first apricot shipment of the season, weighing 440 kg and valued at over RUB 100,000 (UZS 16.3 mn). However, customs officials report that Türkiye now dominates the apricot market in the region, accounting for around 95% of imports during the first two weeks of May. In contrast, Uzbekistan supplied nearly 80% of the apricot volume during the same period in 2024.

Cherry shipments have also begun. A recent delivery to the Urals included nearly 9.5 tonnes of cherries worth more than RUB 1.5 mn (UZS 243.4 mn).

Despite losing ground on apricots, Uzbekistan continues to lead in cherry exports. Last year, Uzbekistan supplied 77% of the cherries imported into the region, followed by Türkiye at 19% and Azerbaijan at 4%.

Kursiv Uzbekistan earlier reported that Uzbek exporters introduced the Shalakh apricot variety to the Russian market, competing with Armenian suppliers through lower pricing.