Dried figs: cold spell anticipated

Mundus Agri. Exports range higher than last year. As the weather is expected to turn, conditions should improve for this year's dried fig production.

The firm market for now

Farmers in Aydin hope that the next few weeks will make a difference. While unusually warm weather coupled with a lack of rain has sparked a high degree of uncertainty with daytime temperatures ranging as high as 15C (59F), a cold spell is now supposed to start soon, which should improve prospects. Aydin's Directorate of Provincial Agriculture and Forestry recently stated that figs are cultivated on an area of 37,000 ha. With annual production ranging at 65,000-70,000 mt Aydin accounts 85% of Turkey's dried fig production and for 60% of global dried fig production. 

Exports slightly up

Turkey's dried fig exports are 130 mt up from last year, as 34,394 mt have been shipped overseas this season. Weekly exports, by contrast, range lower. They only reached 1,380 mt in the week ending on 22 January, which is down on the 1,405 mt registered in the same week last year. The Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Export Association estimates that Turkey currently holds a 58% market share in terms of global dried fig production and exports. Turkey supplies 115 countries, with the USA being the most important export destination (USD 37 million), followed by France (USD 31 million) and Germany (USD 30 million). The total export value reached USD 120 million in 2021/2022 and the current season has started off well.