Figs market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African figs market demonstrated notable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Market volume grew from 499 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 597 thousand tons in 2020, an increase of nearly 20%. This expansion was followed by a sharp contraction in 2021, with the market shrinking to 501 thousand tons, and a further decline to 469 thousand tons in 2022. The market partially recovered in 2023, reaching 507 thousand tons.

By 2024, broader agricultural trends began to shape the trade dynamics for figs. Logistics disruptions at the port of Cape Town affected fruit exports across the region, while fluctuations in fertilizer prices influenced production costs. South Africa's agricultural export growth and policy reforms, alongside a shift in consumer preferences towards processed foods, created an evolving landscape for fresh fruit markets including figs. Import volumes fell sharply from the 2023 high of 18.9 thousand tons to 4.2 thousand tons in 2024, while exports remained stable at 0.7 thousand tons.

Production figs in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

Africa's fig production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the continent produced 592.0 thousand tons of figs, marking a solid year-on-year gain of 13.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 498.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports figs from Africa

Exports in kind, t

Africa's fig export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 559 tons, representing a contraction of 20.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 67.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 31.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, France, and the United Arab Emirates were the largest buyers of figs from Africa, accounting for 16.5%, 14.5%, and 9.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they represented 40.4% of total exports, with a diverse range of smaller partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, fig exports from Africa totaled 3 135 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep reduction of 30.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 43.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 17.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates remained the leading destinations in the value structure of fig exports from Africa, with shares of 31.0%, 11.2%, and 10.5% of exports in value terms, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 52.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports figs to Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2018, imports reached their lowest point at 1 797 tons, with the largest decline of 47.5% recorded that year. By 2020, imports peaked at 5 222 tons, reflecting a steep gain of 110.9% compared to the previous year, resulting in a 2.9-fold gap between the trough and peak.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Syria were the leading sources of fig imports to Africa in kind, with shares of 51.1%, 20.1%, and 18.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 90.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Fig imports to Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 9 308 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a moderate uptick of 5.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 62.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Syria, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia led the structure of fig imports to Africa in value terms, with shares of 36.8%, 28.0%, and 27.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 92.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020