Figs market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine fig market's volume fluctuated between 877.1 thousand tonnes in 2018 and 858.3 thousand tonnes in 2023, primarily influenced by trade flow changes against a backdrop of stable domestic production, which hovered around 865–867 thousand tonnes. A notable drop in market size to 806.5 thousand tonnes in 2019 coincided with a sharp rise in exports to 118 thousand tonnes, driven by growing international interest in Argentine figs, which reduced domestic availability.

Subsequent years saw market volume recovery as export levels moderated and import patterns shifted. The market’s orientation toward export, supported by efficient on-farm packaging logistics to maintain quality for distant markets in Asia, Europe, and Canada, remained a constant. Concurrently, initiatives to explore the fig-growing potential in the Catamarca region, backed by INTA and aimed at adding value and agritourism, signaled efforts to develop the niche production base beyond its traditional concentration in the NOA and Cuyo regions.

Production figs in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

Fig production in Argentina declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Argentina produced 864.3 t of figs, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Argentina's fig production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output of figs was valued at 2 537 K $ US, down by 27.2% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 49.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports figs from Argentina

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Volumes dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, showing a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, fig shipments from Argentina abroad were recorded at 104.1 t, down by 11.8% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 65.7 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 46.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 79.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (35.1% of exports in kind), Qatar (15.2% of exports in kind), and Hong Kong (12.7% of exports in kind) remained the leading destinations in the country structure of exports in kind, with a combined share of 63.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Argentina's volume of fig exports reached 305.6 K $ US, down by 35.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 56.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 24.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 49.5%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 32.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates (29.6% of exports in value terms), the United Kingdom (13.1% of exports in value terms), and Hong Kong (12.9% of exports in value terms) continued to lead the list of buyers of figs from Argentina, jointly accounting for 55.6% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports figs to Argentina

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign fig supplies to Argentina increased. In 2020, imports came to 80.5 t, which is 35.3% more than a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 59.5 t. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 29.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey acted as the main source for figs to Argentina, consistently absorbing 100.0% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, Argentina's fig imports increased. In 2020, imports totalled 298.7 K $ US, which is 25.2% higher compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 238.5 K $ US. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 37.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the almost exclusive supplier of figs to Argentina, with a share of 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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