Our TARAL 1007 project, Development of Sulfurization, Drying and Storage Systems for High Quality Dried Apricot Production, which started on 01/02/2014 under the execution of TÜBİTAK MAM GE, continues with the cooperation of public institution (TAGEM-Apricot Research Institute), private sector (Gökser Makine), university (İnönü University) and joint studies of Food Institute, Chemical Technology Institute and Energy Institute in TÜBİTAK MAM.

With the aim of producing high quality apricots with hygienic and standardized specifications, our aim is to develop hygienic, fast drying systems supported by controlled and homogeneous sulfurization and solar energy.

Project scope,

• Determination of physiological, biochemical and quality characteristics of dried apricot varieties,
• Obtaining the necessary data for the design of Sulfurization and Drying Systems and making their designs,
• Pilot scale manufacturing and optimization of modular prototypes of systems,
• In order to preserve the quality of apricots dried at different sulfur levels for at least 1 year, supporting methods, packaging and storage conditions are being developed.

The project involves expert researchers with a multi-disciplinary approach, and collaborative studies are carried out with field trials as well as laboratory and pilot scale studies.

Turkey earns the highest income from dried apricots after raisins in dried products and earns approximately 300.000 million $ annually from its exports. Our country, which ranks first in the world dried apricot exports, cannot determine the price of this product in the world markets. Although the amount of exports increases, there may be a decrease in the income obtained due to quality problems. Considering that the total value of the world apricot market is 6 billion $, the income of approximately 300 million $ from apricots should be at least 5 times higher. Improving apricot processing conditions and subsequently obtaining high value-added products is one of the most important steps to be taken to increase our income. With this project, solutions will be produced to the quality problems experienced in exports due to sulfurization and drying, and energy and environmentally friendly systems will be developed that will enable controlled and hygienic production that will ensure the production of high quality dried apricots.