Global Fig Market Posts Solid Gains

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

Exports 2007-2019

In 2019, shipments abroad of figs increased by 4% to 130K tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of 13% year-to-year. Over the period under review, global exports attained the maximum in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fig exports shrank to $467M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2007 to 2019; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates fig exports structure, amounting to 85K tons, which was near 65% of total exports in 2019. It was distantly followed by Spain (7.6K tons), making up a 5.8% share of total exports. Germany (3.8K tons), the Netherlands (3.8K tons), Syrian Arab Republic (3.7K tons), Greece (3.6K tons), the U.S. (2.3K tons), France (2K tons) and Iran (2K tons) occupied a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2019, average annual rates of growth with regard to fig exports from Turkey stood at +5.0%. At the same time, Greece (+6.5%), Germany (+5.3%), Spain (+3.9%), Syrian Arab Republic (+3.7%) and the Netherlands (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +6.5% from 2007-2019. France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the U.S. (-2.3%) and Iran (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2007 to 2019, the share of Turkey and Spain increased by +29% and +2.2% percentage points, while Iran (-2.1 p.p.) saw their share reduced. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($287M) remains the largest fig supplier worldwide, comprising 61% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the Netherlands ($21M), with a 4.5% share of global exports. It was followed by Spain, with a 4.4% share.

From 2007 to 2019, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Turkey totaled +4.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+3.2% per year) and Spain (+7.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average fig export price stood at $3,591 per ton in 2019, dropping by -6.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2008 an increase of 20% year-to-year. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $4,138 per ton. From 2009 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average export prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($5,855 per ton), while Iran ($2,269 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports 2007-2019

Global fig imports rose notably to 162K tons in 2019, surging by 10% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2007 to 2019: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2019 figures, imports increased by +25.8% against 2017 indices. Global imports peaked in 2019 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, fig imports rose sharply to $603M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019. Overall, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2007 to 2019: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2019 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2019, India (27K tons), followed by Germany (18K tons), France (15K tons), the U.S. (12K tons) and the UK (7.5K tons) were the key importers of figs, together making up 49% of total imports. The following importers - Russia (5.6K tons), Austria (5.5K tons), Italy (5.2K tons), the Netherlands (4.7K tons), Canada (4.1K tons), Vietnam (3.6K tons) and Switzerland (3.6K tons) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2007 to 2019, the biggest increases were in India, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($96M), Germany ($63M) and France ($57M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2019, together accounting for 36% of global imports. These countries were followed by the U.S., the UK, Austria, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Vietnam and Russia, which together accounted for a further 33%.

Vietnam 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

The average fig import price stood at $3,725 per ton in 2019, waning by -4.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008 an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $4,294 per ton. From 2009 to 2019, the growth in terms of the average import prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2019, the country with the highest price was Canada ($5,675 per ton), while Russia ($1,529 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform