Significant Surge in Dried Fig Exports

Turkey is the world leader in the production and export of dried figs. In the 2021-2022 export season,  Turkey exported 70 thousand 674 tons of dried figs all over the world. In the same season, the amount of foreign currency Turkey obtained from dried fig exports amounted to 258 million dollars.

Turkey is the Leader in Dried Figs

Mehmet Ali Işık, President of the Aegean Dried Fruits and Products Exporters’ Association, defines dried figs as a prestigious product worldwide. Işık stated that Turkey alone accounted for 60% of the world’s dried fig exports. This export rate, which is an important success for Turkey, continues to increase day by day. He added, “The world’s best quality figs ‘yellow lop’ are produced in Turkey. 

Figs are at the top of the world-class superfoods list. Turkey has been carrying out its studies meticulously for many years to increase the production quality and food safety of dried figs. Delicious and high-quality Turkish dried figs were delivered to 102 countries in the 2021-2022 season, from 6 October 2021 to 7 October 2022. In the related season, Turkey exported 258 million dollars of dried figs. In addition, Europe had a 51% share in dried fig exports.”

Turkey’s Delicious Dried Figs Are Exported All Over the World

In dried fig exports, Europe is Turkey’s major trading partner with a foreign exchange value of 134 million dollars. In the 2021-2022 season, Turkey exported 53 million dollars of dried figs to the Americas. This rate increased by 2.3% compared to last season. Turkey exported dried figs to Asian, Far East, and Oceania countries with an increase of 5.6%, amounting to 30 million dollars. Also, there was a significant increase in Middle Eastern countries. Dried fig exports amounted to 17 million dollars with an increase of 19% in the 2021-2022 season. Finally, exports of 9.8 million dollars were realized to Slavic countries and Turkic Republics.

The USA Ranks First in Dried Fig Exports

Işık said that the USA is one of the leading countries where dried figs were exported the most. Turkey exported dried figs worth 35 million dollars to the USA in the 2021-2022 season.  Turkey exported dried figs in the amount of 34 million dollars to France and 33 million dollars to Germany. Dried figs amounting to 14 million dollars were exported to Italy with an increase of 29%. In addition, a notable increase was observed in Canada. Turkey exported 13 million dollars of dried figs to Canada with an increase of 35%. On the other hand, 10 million dollars of dried figs were exported to Japan, an important trade partner for Turkey, with an increase of 17%.

Primary Target: 300 Million Dollars of Dried Figs Export

Turkey expects that the yield and quality of dried figs will be high in the 2022-2023 season. Also, the target for the dried fig export of the 2022-2023 season is to reach 75 thousand tons and increase the export value to 300 million dollars. In the export of dried figs, the 2022-2023 season was met with abundance. The first export  of the season took place on October 7. On this day, $17 million worth of dried figs were loaded onto ships and exported all over the world.

Işık said the distribution on the first day of the season was promising. He continued his words as follows, “This year’s target in dried fig exports is 75 thousand tons. Last season,  between 80-90 thousand tons of dried fig were produced in Turkey. Of this amount, Turkey exported nearly 70 thousand tons. The first days of the season started well and production is better compared to last season. The more efficient we are in production, the higher the export will be.”

Demand for Dried Gigs is Increasing Every Year

Dried figs are a product with an export culture. The income from dried figs is increasing every year. Therefore, it is important to increase the efficiency of the production of dried figs. 

Germencik Tariş Fig Union Business Manager Mehmet Ali Tu also stated that they increased their export targets in dried figs this season. Tu said, “We can reach an export of 300 million dollars in Turkey. Because the world especially loves Aydın figs. The demand for figs is increasing year by year. With the pandemic, the demand for natural and organic products has become too high. We are trying to meet the demands.”