Figs market in Australia and New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

The fig market in Australia and New Zealand opened the period at 2 069 t in 2018, characterized as an incipient commercial sector with production focusing on varieties like Common and San Pedro and limited plantations in New Zealand supplying urban markets. Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 1 992 t in 2019 and to 1 854 t in 2020.

A modest recovery to 1 910 t occurred in 2021, followed by a more substantial expansion to 2 169 t in 2022. This growth took place despite logistics constraints reported in New Zealand, where fresh fig distribution faced pandemic-related courier resource limitations. In contrast, 2023 saw a sharp decline in market volume to 1 751 t, coinciding with favorable warmer and drier climatic conditions in Australia that boosted local supply and reduced prices, encouraging the production of new commercial varieties such as the 'striped tiger fig'.

Beyond 2023, market development has included a broadening of product segments. In New Zealand, the fresh fig season offers around 30 cultivars, and there is growing interest in value-added products like fig molasses, indicating diversification within the market.

Production figs in Australia and New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, kg

Top producers of figs, 2018-2021

World map of production of figs, 2018-2021

Figs production in Australia and New Zealand declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the region produced 69 310 kg of figs, which represents a 4.6% decrease compared to 2020. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 73 330 kg, with the largest year-on-year increase of 6.1% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, kg

Exports figs from Australia and New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

The export market for figs from Australia and New Zealand showed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 17 tonnes, marking a substantial 50.6% decline. However, the market rebounded strongly in 2021 with exports climbing to 36 tonnes, representing a remarkable 112.2% year-on-year increase. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018, creating a 3.1-fold difference between the highest and lowest points during these years.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Turkey was the leading destination for figs exports from Australia and New Zealand, accounting for 42.9% of total export volume. Singapore followed with 20.7%, and Hong Kong with 6.1%. Together, these three markets represented 69.6% of all figs exports from the region during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two consecutive years of decline, figs exports from Australia and New Zealand showed recovery in 2021. The export value reached 195 thousand US dollars last year, marking a 23.2% increase compared to 2020. The lowest point occurred in 2020 with exports valued at 159 thousand US dollars, representing a 22.9% decline. Over the entire 2018-2021 period, exports decreased by 21.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Turkey accounted for 28.2% of the total value of figs exports from Australia and New Zealand. Singapore contributed 26.4%, while Hong Kong represented 10.9%. These three markets together made up 65.6% of the total export value during this four-year period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports figs to Australia and New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of contraction, figs imports into Australia and New Zealand showed modest growth in 2021. Import volumes reached 1 877 tonnes last year, representing a 4.4% increase compared to 2020. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 798 tonnes, which marked a 7.9% decline. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 8.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 2.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Turkey dominated Australia and New Zealand's figs imports by volume, accounting for an overwhelming 91.3% of total import flows during this period.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After experiencing declines for two consecutive years, figs imports into Australia and New Zealand rebounded in 2021. The import value reached 8 206 thousand US dollars last year, showing a 5.5% increase compared to 2020. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 7 776 thousand US dollars, representing a 13.6% decline. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 12.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Turkey remained the primary source for figs imports into Australia and New Zealand in value terms, accounting for 88.2% of total import value. The remaining 11.8% was distributed among various smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Australia and New Zealand in value, 2018-2021