Turkish Dried Fig Prices Steady as Hot, Dry Weather Supports Quality

Turkish dried fig prices are holding broadly stable this week, with only modest softening in some Lerida grades, as the new crop approaches under hot, mostly dry conditions in the main producing regions. Export interest is described as cautious but ongoing, and no major supply shock has emerged so far. In Malatya and the Aegean coast around İzmir, the next three days are forecast to remain hot and sunny, creating generally favourable conditions for drying and quality, in contrast to the intense local storms recently seen in parts of Malatya province that mainly affected other crops. With global dried fig production for the 2025/26 cycle expected to be adequate and no frost damage reported for the 2026 crop so far, the market currently trades in a narrow range, with limited directional momentum.

Prices

Malatya FOB offers for conventional Turkish dried figs are stable compared with the previous week. Natural grades No. 7–1 are assessed in a tight band, with only minor quality spreads. Lerida-type figs show a small week‑on‑week easing in mid-grades, while top Lerida sizes retain a notable premium.

Indicative prices in Spain for organic dried figs (Spanish and Turkish origins) remain at a premium to standard Turkish offers, but have nudged slightly lower in recent days in line with overall dried fruit sentiment. Exporters still report good demand from Europe, which remains the main outlet for Turkish dried figs.

Supply & Demand

Turkey remains the dominant global supplier of dried figs, and available international data suggest world supply in the 2025/26 marketing year is adequate, with the 2026 crop not impacted by frost and only localized water constraints mentioned. Current price stability reflects that global buyers see no imminent shortage, while still valuing Turkish quality and established supply chains.

On the demand side, European consumption continues to anchor exports, with recent figures confirming that Turkey shipped over 50,000 tonnes of dried figs in the latest completed season, nearly half destined for EU markets. Food safety controls, particularly around aflatoxin and mould, remain strict; exporters routinely segregate and remove contaminated lots, which supports confidence in Turkish product but adds a structural cost that helps underpin floor prices.

Weather & Crop Conditions (TR)

Weather in Malatya over the next three days is forecast hot and mostly sunny, with daytime highs around 32–36°C and cool nights, creating favourable conditions for drying and storage of figs and other tree fruits. In İzmir and the wider Aegean fig belt, temperatures are even higher, 35–36°C with persistent sunshine, which supports sugar accumulation and good drying progress, provided orchard management controls insect and fungal pressure.

By contrast, intense local thunderstorms and flash floods have recently affected parts of Malatya province, damaging some agricultural land, especially in districts such as Hekimhan and Akçadağ. These incidents are reported mainly in relation to apricot and mixed farmland, and there is currently no evidence of large‑scale damage to the core dried fig belt in the Aegean. Overall, weather is a mildly supportive factor for fig quality and thus for maintaining current price levels.

Market Fundamentals

• Supply: Global dried fig production for the 2025/26 cycle is estimated to cover demand comfortably, with Turkey again the key origin and the 2026 crop reported free from major frost incidents, though low water reserves in some areas remain a medium‑term risk.
• Exports: Latest sectoral data show Turkish dried fig exports above 50,000 tonnes per season, with the EU absorbing nearly half; this diversified, steady outlet contributes to price stability despite occasional seasonal swings.
• Quality & regulation: Ongoing food safety initiatives, including systematic removal of aflatoxin‑ and mould‑contaminated figs, help sustain demand for higher‑quality lots and justify the premium for top Lerida and organic grades.

Trading Outlook & 3‑Day View

• Short‑term bias (3–7 days): Sideways. With stable offers, supportive weather, and no fresh macro or policy shocks in key export destinations, prices are likely to remain within the current band.
• For buyers: Consider covering nearby and early‑autumn needs at current levels, particularly in mid‑range natural and Lerida grades where slight easing has occurred, while remaining selective on premium organic and specialty sizes.
• For sellers: Maintain offer discipline on top grades and organic product; avoid aggressive discounting unless confronted with quality or ageing inventory, as fundamentals do not currently point to a sharp downside break.