Market
Dried apricots in Australia are primarily an import-supplied product category, with imports dominated by Turkey and smaller volumes from South Africa and other origins. Domestic production exists but is comparatively small and is associated with irrigated stonefruit districts, notably the Riverland (SA) and Sunraysia (VIC/NSW), where some growers/processors produce Australian dried apricots for retail and specialty channels. Regulatory and buyer scrutiny often centers on sulphites use and labelling (e.g., preservative 220) because dried fruit commonly contains added sulphites. Importers also face strict biosecurity requirements for dried fruit under Australia’s khapra beetle urgent actions, which can drive inspection and certification needs and cause border delays if non-compliant.
Market RoleNet importer with limited domestic production
Domestic RoleNiche domestic production (notably Riverland SA and Sunraysia VIC/NSW) alongside a larger import-supplied retail and ingredient market
SeasonalityImports support year-round availability, while Australian drying activity aligns with the domestic apricot harvest season (typically late spring to summer).
Risks
Biosecurity HighKhapra beetle urgent actions apply to dried fruit as an other-risk plant product; shipments can be held, delayed, or rejected if required offshore inspection/certification and cleanliness conditions are not met, making biosecurity compliance a potential deal-breaker for market entry.Screen origin/mode/end-use in BICON early; ensure offshore inspection by an authorised government official where required and secure certification confirming freedom from listed Trogoderma species; implement strict packaging/cleanliness controls and pre-shipment document checks.
Regulatory Compliance HighSulphites are commonly used in dried fruit and must be declared when present at or above the threshold; mislabelling or missing allergen/sulphites declarations can trigger IFIS failures and force relabelling, re-export, or destruction of consignments.Validate labels against FSANZ allergen and additive declaration rules (including sulphites) and keep label proofs aligned to the actual additive formulation and laboratory results where relevant.
Climate MediumDomestic Australian dried apricot supply tied to irrigated stonefruit regions can be disrupted by low rainfall/inflows and constrained irrigation allocations in Murray–Darling-connected systems, reducing availability of Australian-origin product.Maintain dual sourcing (domestic + import origins) and build contingency inventory for Australian-origin SKUs during projected low-allocation years.
Logistics MediumAustralia’s dried apricot market relies heavily on long-haul imports; shipping delays and freight cost volatility can disrupt retail continuity and squeeze margins for importers.Use forward freight planning and buffer stock for peak demand periods; diversify origins and pack formats to reduce single-lane exposure.
Labor And Social Compliance MediumAustralian horticulture supply chains have faced enforcement actions related to underpayment of migrant workers; reputational and legal risk can arise for buyers marketing Australian-grown product without robust labour compliance assurance.Require documented labour compliance controls (payroll audits, labour-hire due diligence, grievance mechanisms) for Australian orchard and packing suppliers.
Sustainability- Irrigation water availability and allocation variability in Murray–Darling Basin horticulture regions (including Riverland/Sunraysia-linked systems) can constrain domestic stonefruit supply and raise production costs during dry periods
Labor & Social- Seasonal and migrant labour is significant in Australian horticulture; the sector has documented compliance and underpayment enforcement actions, creating ethical sourcing and legal compliance risk for buyers relying on Australian-grown fruit supply
FAQ
Where does Australia source most of its imported dried apricots from?Australia’s dried apricot imports (HS 081310) are dominated by Turkey, with South Africa the next-largest supplier and smaller volumes from other countries, based on UN Comtrade data presented via the World Bank WITS tool.
Do dried apricots sold in Australia need to declare sulphites on the label?Yes. FSANZ states that added sulphites must be declared on the label of packaged foods when present at 10 mg/kg or more, and they are typically declared as a preservative with the name sulphur dioxide or code numbers (220–228).
What is the biggest border-entry risk for importing dried apricots into Australia?Biosecurity compliance linked to khapra beetle urgent actions is a major risk: DAFF notes dried fruit is included as an other-risk plant product and may require offshore inspection and certification confirming freedom from listed Trogoderma species; non-compliance can lead to holds and remedial actions.