Figs market in North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

The fig market in North Macedonia saw significant volume shifts between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 885.6 т, consumption dipped to 832.3 т in 2019 before expanding strongly to over 1 055 т in 2020 and peaking near 1 080 т in 2021. A contraction to 955.3 т followed in 2022, with a recovery to 1 044.6 т by 2023.

Domestic production mirrored this volatility, rising from 663 т in 2018 to 894 т in 2021, then falling to 761 т in 2022 before rebounding to 906 т in 2023. Concurrently, imports more than halved from 252 т to 147.8 т over the period, increasing the market's dependence on local output.

Throughout these years, figs retained their appeal as a healthy food product, valued for their unique taste and texture and commonly consumed dried or in jams and jellies, which provided a stable foundation for consumer demand.

Production figs in North Macedonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

North Macedonia's fig production rebounded after two years of decline. In 2019, production hit its lowest point at 626 tonnes, but then surged by 40.4% in 2020 to reach 879 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 18%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in North Macedonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports figs from North Macedonia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2020, North Macedonia's fig exports reached 6.2 tonnes, marking a sharp 13.5% decline from 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 29.4 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020. Between these years, exports varied by 4.7 times. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 75.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 296.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, North Macedonia's fig exports were primarily directed towards Turkey and Serbia, which together accounted for 84.5% of total export flows. Other destinations played a minor role during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, North Macedonia's fig exports totaled 10.3 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 211.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3.3 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2018 at 52.3 thousand US dollars. Export values fluctuated 16 times between the 2018 high and the 2019 low. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 93.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 1 146.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey dominated North Macedonia's fig exports in value terms, absorbing 70.1% of total flows. The remaining exports were distributed among numerous smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports figs to North Macedonia

Imports in kind, t

North Macedonia's fig imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 182.8 tonnes, showing a strong 14.4% decrease from the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 252.0 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 15.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 36.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated North Macedonia's fig imports in volume terms, accounting for 95.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

North Macedonia's fig imports in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 535.9 thousand US dollars, down by 10.3% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 690.7 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.3%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 13.5%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, rising by 40.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, virtually all of North Macedonia's fig imports in value terms came from Turkey, which accounted for 94.7% of total import flows.

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

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