Figs market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fig market in Southern Europe grew from 105.3 thousand tons in 2018 to 122.4 thousand tons in 2020. This expansion was fueled by rising demand for fresh and dried figs both domestically and in export markets like Germany, alongside active food industry research and development of new fig-based products which opened new market niches and encouraged orchard expansion. Competition from Turkish suppliers exerted price pressure, while efforts to strengthen origin labeling, such as the Extremadura seal, aimed to enhance product differentiation.

Market volume fell to 115.0 thousand tons in 2021 and sharply to 96.1 thousand tons in 2022. The initial decline coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption to supply chains and demand. Subsequently, adverse climatic conditions in major producing regions like Italy and Spain—including high temperatures and phytosanitary issues—significantly reduced harvests, leading to scarcity and higher prices. During this period, the entry of Italian companies into the Spanish retail market for dried figs altered competitive dynamics.

By 2023, the market stabilized around 94.1 thousand tons as climatic challenges continued to constrain production recovery. Underlying demand for healthy and natural snacks, supported by technological advances in drying and processing, helped maintain a baseline level of fig consumption despite the overall smaller market size.

Production figs in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of figs, 2017-2020

World map of production of figs, 2017-2020

Fig production in Southern Europe has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 124.8 thousand tons of figs, marking a modest 7.5% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of fig production in Southern Europe has also risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 456.7 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate gain of 9.4% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 46.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.5%.

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

Exports figs from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Fig exports from Southern Europe have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 12 220 tons, down by 2.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 13.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.7%.

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

The market base for fig exports in kind from Southern Europe was broad during 2017–2020. France accounted for 27.0% of exports in kind, the United States for 11.8%, and Germany for 9.8%, together making up just 48.5% of total flows. The remaining 51.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe exported figs worth 44 720 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 43 462 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 44 899 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United States were the largest buyers of figs from Southern Europe in value terms, contributing 21.1%, 10.5%, and 8.7% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was limited to 40.3% of total exports, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports figs to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Europe's volume of fig imports amounted to 9 788 tons, representing a decline of 13.7% compared to 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 493 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 11 347 tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 19.5%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany were the leading sources for fig imports in kind to Southern Europe. Turkey accounted for 52.4% of imports in kind, the Netherlands for 5.2%, and Germany for 2.2%, together representing 59.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe imported figs worth approximately 37 864 thousand US dollars in 2020, corresponding to a notable decline of 15.5% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 44 811 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 15.4%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany formed the key group of partners for fig imports in value terms to Southern Europe. Turkey contributed 56.2% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands 3.2%, and Germany 2.7%, jointly representing 62.1% of total flows.

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

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