Figs market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The fig market in China more than doubled in size between 2018 and 2023, expanding from 14 935 t to 36 283 t. This significant growth was driven overwhelmingly by surging import volumes, which compensated for stable but limited domestic production. The rapid rise in imports reflected a strong and growing domestic demand for figs, fueled by the expansion of value-added processing segments like fig-derived glycolic acid extracts, fig wine, and snack products.

Domestic fig production remained relatively flat, hovering around 14 000 t annually, even as cultivation areas expanded in key regions such as Xinjiang's Yuepuhu County and Sichuan's Weiyuan. This stability was partly due to ongoing industrial challenges, including small-scale operations and high production costs in segments like fig wine. The focus shifted towards developing standardized planting and deep processing to enhance value rather than just raw output, which supported farm incomes but did not substantially boost total production volumes.

Market diversification played a key role in stimulating demand. The launch and growth of new product segments, including fig glycolic acid extracts and fig-based snacks, created additional consumption channels. Concurrently, regional development policies in Xinjiang and Sichuan promoted integrated industry development, combining cultivation with processing and tourism, which further increased the overall consumption of figs and necessitated higher imports to meet processor and consumer needs.

Production figs in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China maintained the 16th position globally in terms of fig production volume.

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

After two years of growth, fig production in China experienced a decline. In 2020, production reached 14 044 tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 14 378 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's fig production value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 70.3 million US dollars, representing a year-over-year decrease of 16.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 44.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports figs from China

Exports in kind, t

China's fig exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 231 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 115.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 235.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hong Kong (37.0% of exports in volume), Malaysia (26.8% of exports in volume), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (11.5% of exports in volume) formed the core of China's fig exports, collectively accounting for 75.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 605 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 1 157 thousand US dollars, representing a 1.9-fold increase from the bottom. The 2020 value was 83.8% higher than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 5.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hong Kong (30.9% of exports in value), Malaysia (26.3% of exports in value), and Asia, not elsewhere specified (12.1% of exports in value) formed the key group of partners for China's fig exports by value, jointly representing 69.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports figs to China

Imports in kind, t

China's fig imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 3 745 tonnes, up by 35.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 473.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 79.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey accounted for 72.5% of China's total fig imports by volume, with the remaining flows distributed among multiple smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

China's fig imports by value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 6 005 thousand US dollars, constituting a year-over-year rise of 40.5%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 209.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 45.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey remained the dominant source for China's fig imports by value, holding a 76.2% share of total flows, while the remainder was fragmented across other markets.

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

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