Apricots are thought to be native of Armenia, from where they were brought to regions along the Silk Road, and it's been cultivated there since times so ancient they even precede the first writings.
In India, the first apricot cultivations date back to 3000 b.C.
Alexander the Great is widely believed to have brought apricots to Greece, while the roman general Lucullus is credited from bringing back apricot trees from Armenia to Rome.
According to Pliny, Romans began cultivating apricots about 100 BC, and they definitely knew apricots by 200 A.D. since the Roman food writer, Apicius, recorded recipes for them.
In literature there are many different references to the origin of apricots, which makes it very confusing to try and discern their real origin: Loudon (1838) wrote that apricots originated from a wide region including not only Armenia, but also China, Japan, Caucasus and Himalaya.
Persians were also aware of apricots, and the dried fruits were a widespread commodity on the Persian markets: today they are known as "Zard-alu", in Iran, where they make up a very important slice of the fruit market.
Most sources also point out the fact that the botanical name is "armeniaca", which means Romans knew it originated from Armenia.
Literally quoting De Poerderlé: "Cet arbre tire son nom de l'Arménie, province d'Asie, d'où il est originaire et d'où il fut porté en Europe ...." ("this tree takes its name from Armenia, province of Asia, where it is native, and whence it was brought to Europe ...."), even though his view was not supported by any scientific evidence.
After the Roman empire, several facts suggest that apricots had disappeared from Europe. They were re-introduced there with the Arab invasion of Spain.
In 1542, during the time of Henry 8th, his gardener brought the apricot to England from Italy, and the biggest growing breakthrough was achieved by Lord Anson at Moor Park in Hertfordshire, producing the European favourite variety called Moor Park.
In the late 18th century they were brought to California by Spanish missionaries. The first recorded crop was located south of San Francisco, in 1792.
Today apricots are widespread to all regions of the world and in Egypt, dry apricots are used to make a sweet drink called "amar al-din".
During the exploration of America, English colonists brought the apricot to the New World from Europe, although the cultivars used today are mostly successors of the seedlings brought by Spanish missionaires.
In 1910, U.S. census reported that 96.4% of all apricots grown in the United States were produced in California.
As of 2009, the vast majority of apricots are produced in California, with smaller quantities being produced in Utah and Washington.
Australia is also a fairly large producer: the most prolific region is South Australia, in the zone of Mypolonga, Lower Murray region, as well as the Riverland.
Other Australian states where apricots can be found are Tasmania, New South Wales and Western Victoria.