<aside> 📌 Last updated June 27, 2023.

</aside>

Identity Sheet

Like the peach, the origins of the apricot are Asian. ****The apricot season runs from May to September.

🚜 Sector

The apricot is not as adaptable to climatic conditions as other stone fruits. A variety that produces well in one region is often unproductive in another.

The apricot tree requires a hot Mediterranean climate; it needs cold, wet winters to break dormancy and hot, dry summers. The apricot tree blooms early, exposing it to spring frosts in most regions where it is cultivated.

The main stages of apricot cultivation are as follows:

• Planting: Depending on climatic conditions and the variety of the apricot tree, the first harvests can take between 3 and 5 years after planting. From 5 to 7 years after planting, the tree can begin to produce significant and regular apricot harvests.
• Pruning: During winter, after the leaves have fallen, apricot trees are pruned to maintain their shape, promote good air circulation, and stimulate fruit production.
• Flowering and Pollination: In spring, apricot trees bloom. The flowers are pollinated by wind or pollinating insects, such as bees. Some apricot trees can be self-fertile, while others require the presence of different varieties for cross-pollination.
• Fruit Formation: After pollination, the flowers develop into small green fruits. As they grow, the fruits undergo changes in color and size, turning from green to orange as they ripen.
• Harvest: The apricot harvest generally takes place in summer when the fruits have reached maturity. The harvest period can vary depending on the region and variety grown. Apricots are hand-picked to avoid damage.

📈 Production & Consumption

🇪🇺 Production in Europe

Europe is one of the world's main apricot-producing regions. The leading apricot-producing countries are Italy, France, Spain, and Greece. Production is concentrated in Mediterranean regions, where the climate is ideal for apricot cultivation.

🇫🇷 Production in France

France is the second-largest apricot producer in Europe after Italy. Production is mainly concentrated in the Rhône Valley and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, which benefit from a Mediterranean climate.

The apricot sector in France is quite fragmented, with many small producers. Apricots are generally sold in local markets, but some are also exported, mainly to other EU countries.