Recently, there has been increased interest in the carotenoid composition of fruits as they can have nutritional interest beyond the pro-vitamin A molecules (ά and βcarotene, β-cryptoxanthin). Among fruits, apricot species is known to be a rich source of carotenoids, responsible for fruit colour. The aim of this work was to analyze carotenoid composition at harvest and after cold storage in three apricot cultivars: 'Cafona', 'Pellecchiella' and 'Dulcinea'. Fruits were characterized for physical and chemical properties and carotenoid content at harvest and after 7 and 14 days at +4°C. Carotenoid compounds were extracted in methanol/hexane from fruit powder and analysed by HPLC-DAD. ' Pellecchiella' showed the highest β-carotene level, while 'Cafona ' and ' Dulcinca' showed similar lower b-carotene level. Despite this similarity, phytoene and phytofluene were 1.6 and 1.3 fold respectively higher in 'Cafona' than in ' Dulcinea'. In all the three cultivars, 7 days of cold storage at +4°C did not particularly affect carotenoid content. After 14 days in both Vesuvian cultivars, the three carotenes increased, while in 'Dulcinea' a decrease in phytofluene and β-carotene was registered. As regards nutritional evaluation of apricot fruit in terms of carotenoid content, it is highly recommended to make general conclusions with respect to the cultivars-specific results. Changes in β-carotene content after storage probably depend on the cultivar.