2025 Apricot season Spain

29 Jun 2025 Apricot season Spain

Spain is one of the main apricot producers in Europe, with a significant concentration in the Region of Murcia, where both traditional and modern varieties are cultivated. Among the most well-known are Búlida, Canino, and Mitger, appreciated for their intense flavor and distinctive aroma, although they are sensitive to the Sharka virus. In response to this threat, improved varieties such as Orange Red®, the Dama series (Dama Rosa, Dama Taronja), and Faralia have been introduced in recent years, developed through genetic improvement programs to offer greater resistance and adaptability.

In addition to fresh consumption, a large part of Spanish apricot production is destined for industrial processing. Apricot purées and concentrates are key ingredients in the food industry, used in the production of juices, nectars, jams, yogurts, pastries, and baby food. Apricot stands out for its balanced flavor, high beta-carotene content, and smooth texture when processed, making it an excellent base for natural or functional products.

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate and advanced technology, Spain offers high-quality products tailored to international market demands, with industrial formats such as drums, buckets, or aseptic bags depending on customer needs.

We are now finishing the apricot harvest, which has lasted longer than usual in Spain. Production of apricot purées and concentrates will conclude this week.

The trend across Europe shows a general drop in production: France reports a 28% decrease, Italy about 10%, and Turkey a drastic 70% reduction in fruit production. In contrast, Spain has recorded an increase of approximately 26%.

Weather conditions — such as frosts, rain during flowering, and hail — are causing notable variations in countries like Turkey, France, and Greece. Productive alternation, along with a gradual decline in apricot cultivation year after year (as is happening in France and Turkey), is contributing to a continuous drop in harvests across many countries.

In response, countries like Spain are trying to compensate for declining plantations with investments in irrigation, precision farming, frost control, and the planting of resistant varieties.

We’ll see how the year develops, as global consumption continues to rise, but availability this year is more limited.