Steady Turkish Fig FOBs, Wide Organic Premiums; Spain Discounts Persist
Turkish dried fig FOB prices in İzmir and Malatya hold steady, with strong organic premiums, while Spanish figs trade at a discount. Short‑term outlook mildly firm.
Prices
All prices converted to EUR/mt, FOB.
Within Türkiye, the spread between İzmir organic Minis (≈16,090 EUR/mt) and Malatya natural No.4 (≈8,800 EUR/mt) highlights a strong premium for certified organic and specialty grades. Spain’s organic “Spanish Gold” around 10,840 EUR/mt FOB Madrid prices below comparable İzmir organics, offering a competitive alternative for EU buyers willing to switch origin.
Supply & Demand
The latest global industry outlook (March 2026) indicates that 2025/26 world dried fig production is expected to rise to around 156,400 mt, up from 137,800 mt in 2024/25, with Türkiye’s crop projected significantly higher at 70,000 mt and Spain’s slightly lower near 10,200 mt. This points to an overall comfortable supply backdrop despite localized quality differentials.
Aydın and İzmir remain the core dried fig belt in Türkiye, and export statistics for the 2025/26 season show strong shipments of over 35,000 mt generating about USD 230 million, underlining continued robust foreign demand for Turkish figs. At the same time, broader Turkish fruit export data show resilient performance in other high‑value processed items from the Aegean, signalling that logistics and trade flows are functioning normally. This supports stable nearby offtake for dried figs, without the signs of demand destruction that would be needed to push prices sharply lower.
Weather & Crop Conditions (TR, ES)
There are no new, specific dried fig weather alerts in the past three days for western Türkiye (Aydın–İzmir) or Spain. Recent national data point to generally favourable conditions for Turkish fruit and tree‑crop production in 2026, with overall fruit output projected higher year‑on‑year, suggesting that figs have not suffered significant, widely‑reported weather damage so far.
In Spain, recent coverage has focused on exceptional warmth earlier in spring, with April 2026 reported as the hottest since 1961. While this raises long‑term concerns over heat stress, there have been no fresh June reports of acute weather‑related fig losses in Extremadura or other key fig areas within the last three days. In the absence of new adverse events, the working assumption for nearby trading is a broadly normal Spanish fig crop with some localized variability.
Fundamentals & Market Drivers
- Comfortable global balance: The projected increase in 2025/26 world dried fig production, led by a larger Turkish crop and modest Spanish reduction, keeps the global balance sheet comfortable, limiting upside pressure unless demand accelerates or quality issues emerge.
- Export momentum from Türkiye: Strong 2025/26 dried fig exports from Aydın underpin base demand and confirm that Turkish product remains the reference origin for many markets, especially Europe and the Middle East.
- Macro & FX backdrop: Broader Turkish agricultural reporting points to rising output in several fruit categories, while the lira’s structural weakness continues to make FOB offers from Türkiye competitive in EUR terms, even with high organic premiums.
- Quality & certification spread: Organically certified and specialty‑cut figs from İzmir maintain a wide premium over Malatya conventional lots and Spanish offers, supported by limited volumes and strong demand from branded retail and ingredient users.
Short‑Term Outlook & Trading Ideas
- Processors / industrial buyers (EU, MENA): With global supply comfortable and Turkish exports flowing, consider gradual coverage on Malatya natural grades and Spanish “Spanish Gold” for Q3–Q4 needs at current or slightly better levels. Prioritize origin flexibility to capture discounts versus İzmir organics.
- Retail & branded buyers (premium/organic): Organic Minis and Protoben/Lerida from İzmir are likely to remain firm given strong export demand. Use any temporary euro strength or brief softening in freight rates to extend coverage rather than waiting for meaningful discounts that fundamentals do not currently justify.
- Turkish exporters / packers: In the absence of negative crop news, maintain current USD/EUR‑equivalent FOB indications on high‑grade organics. Consider tactical offers on lower grades and cubes to defend market share against Spanish and Iranian competition if global demand softens.
3‑Day Directional Price Indication (EUR, FOB)
- Türkiye – İzmir (organic figs & cuts, FOB): Sideways to mildly firm over the next three days, with premiums for organic Minis and Protoben/Lerida No.4/5 expected to hold at current levels.
- Türkiye – Malatya (conventional natural & Lerida, FOB): Stable; no clear drivers for a near‑term move as supply and export demand appear balanced.
- Spain – Madrid (Spanish Gold, organic, FOB): Stable to slightly soft, as competitive pressures from ample Turkish supply may cap any attempt to lift offers in the very short term.