Turkey’s Fig Exports Ramps Up in Tandem with Strong Growth in Production

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'Turkey - Figs - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

Fig production in Turkey continues to increase robustly, enjoying strong foreign and domestic demand. In 2020, fig exports from Turkey also hit record highs of near 89K tonnes, picking up by 5% against the previous year. The country continues to dominate fig supplies worldwide, with a share of over 50% in terms of global exports. Europe, North America and China constitute major external markets for Turkish figs. Given the increased production, the average fig export price in Turkey declined slightly to $3,280 per tonne in 2020.

Production in Turkey

For the ninth consecutive year, Turkey recorded growth in the production of figs, which increased by 3.3% to near 320K tonnes in 2020. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2020; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum volume in 2020 and is expected to retain growth in years to come. In value terms, fig production expanded modestly to $1.1B in 2020 estimated at export prices.

The increase in production was largely shaped by both a sharp increase in exports, as well as the slight increase in the domestic market. Turkey remains the top supplier of figs worldwide, with a share of over 50% in terms of global exports. From the supply side, the increase in production became feasible due to a slight expansion of the harvested area and a modest increase in yield figures. 

Harvested Area and Yield in Turkey

In 2020, approx. 53K ha of figs were harvested in Turkey, stabilizing against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the harvested area increased by 2.1% year-to-year. 

In 2020, the average fig yield in Turkey rose modestly to near 6 tonnes per ha, surging by 3.1% in 2019. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2020; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period.

Exports from Turkey

In 2020, the amount of figs exported from Turkey was estimated at 89K tonnes, picking up by 5% against 2019 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2020; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, exports hit record highs in 2020 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term. In value terms, fig exports rose modestly to $294M (IndexBox estimates) in 2020. 

Exports by Country

Germany (15K tonnes), the U.S. (13K tonnes) and France (10K tonnes) were the main destinations of fig exports from Turkey, together comprising 43% of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, the Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, China, Austria and Canada, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2020, the biggest increases were in Mexico (+82.4% per year), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($55M), France ($40M) and the U.S. ($36M) were the largest markets for fig exported from Turkey worldwide, with a combined 44% share of total exports. The UK, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Russia, Austria, Belarus, China and Mexico lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.

Mexico (+58.1% per year) recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2020, the average fig export price amounted to $3,280 per tonne, shrinking by -2.7% against the previous year. Increased production of figs was a factor that enabled to improve fig availability and relax the price. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 21% y-o-y. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $3,820 per tonne. From 2015 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($4,740 per tonne), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($1,314 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Canada, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform