If you’re diving into ARC Raiders, you’ve probably realized that gathering resources is a big part of building up your base and keeping your progression on track. Unlike some extraction shooters that send you on tedious scavenger hunts for items you’ll barely use, ARC Raiders does a pretty solid job of making resource collection feel purposeful—especially when it comes to items like lemons and apricots.
These aren’t just random collectibles. They’re actually tied to meaningful upgrades (hello, Scrappy!), so knowing where to find them efficiently can save you a lot of time and frustration. Let’s break down exactly where to farm lemons and apricots, what they’re used for, and some tips to make your collection runs smoother.
What Are Lemons And Apricots Used For?
Before we get into the “where,” let’s talk about the “why.” Lemons and apricots are classified as Nature resources in ARC Raiders, and they’re primarily needed for Scrappy’s second upgrade. If you’re not familiar, Scrappy is your loyal companion in the game, and upgrading him unlocks useful abilities that’ll help you survive longer in raids.
To upgrade Scrappy the first time, you’ll need a Dog Collar, but for the second upgrade, lemons and apricots become essential. So if you stumble across these fruits early on, don’t just toss them aside—stash them until you’re ready to level up your furry friend.
Key takeaway: Hold onto any lemons or apricots you find, especially if you haven’t upgraded Scrappy yet. They’re not super rare, but you’ll kick yourself if you have to backtrack later.
Where To Find Lemons And Apricots – Best Locations
Look for Nature-Tagged Locations
Here’s a helpful tip that applies across all maps: pay attention to location tags. When you’re selecting your drop zone, click on a location and check underneath its image. If you see a Nature tag or a leaf symbol, that’s your signal that the area is rich in food and healing items—including lemons and apricots.
Nature zones typically feature:
- Fruit trees (small, kickable ones)
- Baskets of food on rooftops or inside buildings
- Gardens and parks with scattered produce
Buried City – The Best Map for Lemons and Apricots
If you’re serious about farming these fruits, Buried City is your go-to map. This location is loaded with greenery, including gardens, trees, and rooftop areas where food spawns regularly. Here’s why it’s the best:
What makes Buried City ideal:
- Tons of lemon and apricot trees scattered throughout the map
- Rooftop baskets containing food items—check every building you can safely access
- Multiple garden areas with small, interactive fruit trees
Pro tip: The middle section of Buried City has a high concentration of fruit trees, but it’s also heavily guarded by large, aggressive machines. If you spawn near this area, grab what you can and extract quickly. Don’t get greedy—survival is more important than a few extra apricots.
How To Actually Collect Lemons and Apricots
This part is simple but easy to overlook if you’re new. Look for smaller trees inside gardens or parks. These aren’t the towering environmental trees—they’re smaller, interactive saplings.
Here’s the process:
- Approach the small tree
- Interact with it (your character will kick the tree)
- A lemon or apricot will drop to the ground
- Pick it up and repeat—you can often kick the same tree multiple times
If nothing drops after a couple of kicks, move on to the next tree. You’ll find plenty scattered around Nature zones, so don’t waste time on a single spot.
Additional Tips for Efficient Fruit Farming
Prioritize Safe Zones First
When you drop into a raid, don’t immediately rush into the center of the map. Start by looting the edges where Nature resources tend to spawn, then work your way inward. This minimizes your exposure to enemy players and AI threats while you’re gathering.
Use Your Stash Wisely
If you’re farming lemons and apricots specifically for Scrappy’s upgrade, make sure you have enough stash and backpack space to hold them. There’s nothing worse than finding a bunch of resources but having to leave them behind because your inventory is full.
Combine Farming with Other Objectives
Don’t make a raid just about fruit farming. Combine it with other tasks like earning coins, unlocking skills, or completing security breaches. Efficiency is key in extraction shooters, and multi-tasking will help you progress faster.
Play with Friends for Safer Runs
If you’re struggling to farm safely, consider playing with friends. Having teammates watch your back while you loot gardens makes the whole process much smoother—and you can split up to cover more ground.
Final Thoughts
Lemons and apricots might seem like minor items at first, but they’re actually pretty important for progression in ARC Raiders—especially if you want to maximize Scrappy’s potential. The Buried City is hands-down the best spot to farm them, thanks to its abundant Nature resources and clear visual markers.
Just remember: don’t rush into dangerous areas, keep an eye on your inventory space, and always prioritize safe extraction over grabbing that one last apricot. For more tips on surviving your raids, check out our complete survival guide or learn how to optimize your PC settings for smoother gameplay.
You can grab ARC Raiders on PlayStation, Xbox, or via the official website. Happy farming, Raiders!
Quick Reference:
- Best map: Buried City
- Look for: Nature tags, leaf symbols, small kickable trees
- Used for: Scrappy’s second upgrade
- Pro tip: Farm the edges first, then move inward to stay safe
