EU: Fig Market 2023

Fig Market Size in the EU

For the fourth year in a row, the EU fig market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 0.8% to $X in 2021. The total consumption indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +48.9% against 2015 indices. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Fig Production in the EU

In value terms, fig production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +56.4% against 2013 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Spain (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of fig production, comprising approx. 57% of total volume. Moreover, fig production in Spain exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Greece (X tons), threefold. Italy (X tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 12% share.

In Spain, fig production increased at an average annual rate of +10.2% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Greece (-0.5% per year) and Italy (+2.0% per year).

The average fig yield fell to X tons per ha in 2021, waning by -4.9% compared with the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 31%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2020, and then shrank modestly in the following year. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, the harvested area of figs in the European Union amounted to X ha, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the harvested area increased by 3.8%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to fig production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Fig Exports

Exports in the EU

For the third consecutive year, the European Union recorded growth in overseas shipments of figs, which increased by 30% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +38.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fig exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +9.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +47.4% against 2017 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Austria (X tons) and Spain (X tons) represented roughly 43% of total exports in 2021. Germany (X tons) held a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (12%), Greece (8.4%) and Italy (7.3%). France (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Austria (with a CAGR of +59.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Austria ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Germany ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 52% share of total exports.

Austria, with a CAGR of +62.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 9.1% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the export price increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fig Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, supplies from abroad of figs increased by 8.6% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16%. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, fig imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +37.7% against 2014 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the largest importers of figs in 2021, reaching approx. 23% and 23% of total imports, respectively. Austria (X tons) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (8%) and Italy (7%). Belgium (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), Poland (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of +26.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fig importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), France ($X) and Austria ($X), with a combined 57% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Bulgaria, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia and Hungary, which together accounted for a further 33%.

Bulgaria, with a CAGR of +42.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 9.5% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the import price increased by 10%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Hungary ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bulgaria (+12.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

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