AbstractWorld apricot production by no means meets the total need of the international market (fresh and processed fruits) and is far below the potential in view of the existing favourable geographic, climatic and agrotechnical conditions. The cause for this insufficient world production of apricots, particularly in certain countries which have favourable conditions for apricot culture and its expansion, should be investigated using scientific and technical concepts concerning the apricot decline syndrome (apoplexy, sudden wilting, withering of apricots). After the mutual assistance of research workers from different disciplines in investigating this complex disease, the economic security of apricot growing can be improved and apricot decline reduced to an acceptable level. Special attention must be paid to selecting appropriate cultivars, rootstocks or interstocks, locations and cultivation techniques.