Fig Market

The global fig market is forecasted to experience steady growth in the coming years, with an anticipated increase in consumption and production levels. From 2022 to 2030, the market is expected to see a CAGR of +2.4% in volume and +4.1% in value. Turkey, Egypt, and Algeria are the top consumers and producers of figs, while Germany, France, and the United States are major importers. Turkey dominates global fig exports, with Afghanistan and Iran also increasing their market share. Overall, the fig market is poised for continued expansion, driven by rising demand and favorable growth trends.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for figs worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Figs

In 2022, consumption of figs decreased by -5.1% to 1.3M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the consumption volume increased by 9.6%. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 1.4M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global fig market size contracted to $4.4B in 2022, with a decrease of -5.8% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $4.7B. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global market remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Turkey (258K tons), Egypt (189K tons) and Algeria (112K tons), with a combined 45% share of global consumption. Morocco, Iran, the United States, Syrian Arab Republic, Spain, India, China, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +27.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fig markets worldwide were Turkey ($832M), Egypt ($762M) and Algeria ($488M), together accounting for 48% of the global market. Morocco, the United States, India, Spain, Iran, Syrian Arab Republic, Uzbekistan, Tunisia, China and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

Uzbekistan, with a CAGR of +28.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of fig per capita consumption in 2022 were Turkey (3 kg per person), Morocco (2.9 kg per person) and Algeria (2.5 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +25.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Figs

In 2022, production of figs decreased by -4.2% to 1.2M tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 9.2% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 1.4M tons. From 2021 to 2022, global production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by a slight increase of the harvested area and modest growth in yield figures.

In value terms, fig production fell modestly to $4.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the production volume increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $5.1B in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Turkey (350K tons), Egypt (188K tons) and Algeria (112K tons), together accounting for 52% of global production. Morocco, Iran, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Tunisia and Albania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uzbekistan (with a CAGR of +28.7%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Yield

The global average fig yield declined modestly to 4.2 tons per ha in 2022, reducing by -4.9% on the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 9.3% against the previous year. As a result, the yield reached the peak level of 5 tons per ha. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the average fig yield remained at a lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of figs production worldwide amounted to 297K ha, flattening at 2021 figures. Overall, the harvested area, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 4.6%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to fig production reached the peak figure at 315K ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Imports

World Imports of Figs

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of figs decreased by -6.9% to 186K tons in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +44.6% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 34%. Global imports peaked at 200K tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, fig imports contracted significantly to $647M in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 39%. Global imports peaked at $789M in 2021, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the six major importers of figs, namely Germany, France, the United States, China, India and Austria, represented more than third of total import. The UK (7K tons), Russia (6.9K tons), the Netherlands (5.6K tons), Canada (5.3K tons), Italy (5.1K tons), Switzerland (4.1K tons) and Mexico (3.7K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +26.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($69M), India ($65M) and France ($57M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 30% share of global imports. The United States, Austria, Canada, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, China, Switzerland, Russia and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

China, with a CAGR of +23.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average fig import price amounted to $3,485 per ton, waning by -11.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $4,300 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($5,681 per ton), while China ($1,444 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Figs

In 2022, overseas shipments of figs decreased by -0.4% to 181K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +39.7% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 182K tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, fig exports dropped to $606M in 2022. In general, total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 36%. The global exports peaked at $696M in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

Exports By Country

Turkey prevails in exports structure, accounting for 95K tons, which was approx. 53% of total exports in 2022. Afghanistan (17K tons) took a 9.3% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Iran (7.3%) and Austria (4.6%). Spain (6.6K tons), Germany (4.4K tons), the Netherlands (3.8K tons) and Greece (3.4K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Turkey increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Afghanistan (+23.8%), Austria (+22.7%), Iran (+20.9%) and Spain (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Afghanistan emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +23.8% from 2012-2022. Greece, Germany and the Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Afghanistan (+7.5 p.p.), Iran (+5.5 p.p.) and Austria (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the Netherlands, Germany and Turkey saw its share reduced by -1.6%, -1.6% and -6.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($307M) remains the largest fig supplier worldwide, comprising 51% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Afghanistan ($70M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Austria, with a 4.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey amounted to +4.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Afghanistan (+18.2% per year) and Austria (+18.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average fig export price amounted to $3,353 per ton, falling by -12.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average export price increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $4,086 per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($5,741 per ton), while Iran ($1,614 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Greece (+3.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform