Middle East: Fig Market 2025

Fig Market Size in the Middle East

The Middle Eastern fig market declined modestly to $X in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2018; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Fig Production in the Middle East

In value terms, fig production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

The country with the largest volume of fig production was Turkey (X tons), accounting for 63% of total volume. Moreover, fig production in Turkey exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Iran (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Syrian Arab Republic (X tons), with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Turkey stood at +1.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Iran (+5.3% per year) and Syrian Arab Republic (+1.0% per year).

The average fig yield shrank modestly to X tons per ha in 2022, flattening at the previous year's figure. The yield indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, fig yield decreased by -0.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 13%. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The fig harvested area shrank to X ha in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the harvested area recorded a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Fig Exports

Exports in the Middle East

In 2022, shipments abroad of figs increased by 0.9% to X tons, rising for the seventh year in a row after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fig exports reduced to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when exports increased by 22%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Turkey dominates exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 87% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (X tons), creating a 6.1% share of total exports. The following exporters - Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) and Iran (X tons) - together made up 6.1% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to fig exports from Turkey stood at +4.1%. At the same time, Syrian Arab Republic (+13.4%), Saudi Arabia (+13.1%) and Iran (+2.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Syrian Arab Republic emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the Middle East, with a CAGR of +13.4% from 2012-2022. While the share of Saudi Arabia (+3.3 p.p.) and Syrian Arab Republic (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Turkey (-4.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Turkey ($X) remains the largest fig supplier in the Middle East, comprising 91% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Syrian Arab Republic ($X), with a 3.4% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Turkey stood at +4.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Syrian Arab Republic (+14.6% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+9.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in the Middle East amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -8.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the export price increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Syrian Arab Republic (+1.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Fig Imports

Imports in the Middle East

In 2022, supplies from abroad of figs increased by 22% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports enjoyed resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 49%. The volume of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, fig imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Turkey (X tons), Qatar (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Syrian Arab Republic (X tons) was the major importer of figs in the Middle East, committing 63% of total import. The United Arab Emirates (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 9.1% share, followed by Kuwait (9%), Iraq (8.8%) and Israel (5.6%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Syrian Arab Republic (with a CAGR of +35.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Turkey ($X), Qatar ($X) and Saudi Arabia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 58% of total imports.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +30.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the Middle East stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -10.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the import price increased by 16%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Israel ($X per ton), while Syrian Arab Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Saudi Arabia (+6.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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