Study Tour to Malatya, Türkiye: Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange in the Dried Apricot Sector

As part of the ITC-supported project, the study tour programme was jointly developed by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in cooperation with the Association of Processors and Exporters of Fruits and Vegetables of Uzbekistan (UZPEX). The mission to Malatya, Türkiye, was designed to strengthen regional cooperation, facilitate knowledge exchange, and establish partnerships between Uzbek and Turkish stakeholders involved in the apricot value chain.

The study tour brought together representatives of UZPEX and five leading Uzbek dried fruit companies. During the mission, the delegation visited three leading Turkish companies—Alptekin Makine, Mey-san Organic, and VESTA—as well as commercial apricot orchards, the Apricot Research Institute, and the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The programme provided participants with comprehensive exposure to the entire apricot value chain, from cultivation and harvesting to drying, processing, quality management, storage, packaging, and export.

The study tour combined technical visits, institutional meetings, and business-to-business exchanges, enabling participants to gain practical knowledge, establish professional contacts, and identify opportunities for future collaboration between Uzbekistan and Türkiye in the dried fruit sector.

During the study tour, the delegation visited three leading Turkish companies—Alptekin Makine, Mey-san Organic, and VESTA—as well as commercial apricot orchards, a specialized Apricot Research Institute, and the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These visits provided participants with comprehensive exposure to the entire apricot value chain, from cultivation and harvesting to drying, processing, quality management, storage, packaging, and export.

1. Enhanced Regional and Sectoral Exchange and Collaboration

The study tour significantly strengthened collaboration between sector actors in Uzbekistan and Türkiye by bringing together business representatives, researchers, industry associations, and exporters. Meetings with the Apricot Research Institute and the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry created opportunities to establish institutional and commercial relationships, while company visits enabled direct interaction between Uzbek SMEs and Turkish processors and exporters.

The delegation exchanged experiences on modern apricot production technologies, processing methods, food safety management, and export development. These interactions enhanced mutual understanding of sector challenges and identified opportunities for long-term cooperation in technology transfer, production modernization, quality improvement, and market development.

2. Knowledge Sharing Among Sector Actors Facilitated

The study tour served as an effective platform for practical knowledge exchange. Participants observed modern production practices throughout the entire apricot value chain, including orchard management, harvesting techniques, primary drying, sulphur treatment, grading and sorting, processing technologies, quality control systems, storage management, packaging, and export preparation.

The visit to the Apricot Research Institute enabled participants to learn about advanced varietal development, modern cultivation technologies, commercialization of research, and successful models of collaboration between research institutions and the private sector. Discussions with Turkish experts provided practical recommendations on increasing productivity, improving product quality, enhancing processing efficiency, and meeting international food safety and quality requirements.

The visits to processing facilities demonstrated modern production lines, automation systems, international certification practices, and export-oriented quality management systems, providing valuable practical knowledge that participating companies can adapt within their own operations.

3. Establishment of National, Regional, and Global Partnerships

The mission established new links between Uzbek and Turkish businesses, research institutions, and business support organizations, creating a foundation for future cooperation. Direct contacts were established between participating Uzbek companies and Turkish exporters and processors, facilitating future business-to-business communication and potential commercial partnerships.

Discussions with the Apricot Research Institute opened opportunities for future collaboration between research organizations in Uzbekistan and Türkiye, particularly in varietal improvement, technology transfer, and innovation. Meetings with the Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry further strengthened institutional relationships and identified opportunities to promote bilateral trade and investment.

As a tangible outcome of the mission, the parties reached a preliminary agreement to organize a reciprocal visit of Turkish companies to Uzbekistan. The proposed visit will allow Turkish partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen commercial partnerships, and identify areas for joint projects in apricot production, processing, and export development.

Overall, the study tour strengthened regional cooperation, facilitated the exchange of technical and commercial knowledge, and established sustainable partnerships between public institutions, research organizations, business support organizations, and private sector companies. The mission contributed to improving the competitiveness of participating Uzbek enterprises and laid the foundation for continued collaboration between Uzbekistan and Türkiye in the dried fruit sector.