Turkish dried figs edge higher as new crop firms; Spanish offers stay competitive

Turkish and Spanish dried fig prices are edging modestly higher as the 2026/27 export season gains momentum, with a broadly firm tone across origins. Tight farmer selling in Türkiye and steady European demand are supporting organic grades in particular, while Spanish product remains competitively priced into EU buyers. The Aegean harvest and sun‑drying are progressing under hot, dry conditions that favour quality and brix, encouraging exporters to defend current offer levels despite a generally larger Turkish crop outlook. In Spain’s Extremadura heartland, the Calabacita-based dried fig campaign is peaking, backed by strong local processing capacity and marketing initiatives, keeping Spanish figs visible on regional and EU markets. Weather over the coming days in both Türkiye and Spain looks seasonally warm and mostly dry, limiting near‑term supply risk and pointing to continued stable‑to‑firm prices into the start of Q4.

Prices

FOB offers for Turkish organic dried figs out of İzmir are ticking higher. Fig Protoben No. 4/5 is quoted at 15.65 EUR/FOB İzmir, up slightly from 15.60 EUR on 18 September 2026, while organic Lerida No. 4 stands at 14.90 EUR/FOB İzmir. Organic Mini figs are the strongest line at 16.10 EUR/FOB İzmir. Conventional chopped whole No. 8/9 is at 10.80 EUR/FOB İzmir, with organic fig cubes at 9.70 EUR/FOB İzmir, both marginally higher than earlier in the month.

Spanish organic dried figs "Spanish Gold" are indicated at 10.90 EUR/FOB Madrid, slightly above early‑September levels but still at a clear discount to comparable Turkish organic sizes. This maintains Spain’s role as a price‑competitive EU origin, particularly for buyers prioritising intra‑EU logistics and documentation rather than maximum size or colour premiums.

Supply & Demand

In Türkiye, the 2026/27 dried fig season is starting under favourable conditions. Industry reports indicate that harvesting and sun‑drying in Aydın and the wider Aegean are progressing well, with hot, dry weather helping colour and sugar development and supporting strong export quality. Market commentary highlights exporters resisting lower bids as inquiries from Europe and other markets pick up with the crop profile becoming clearer.

Even with a larger and healthier new Turkish crop expected compared with last season, the near‑term balance looks comfortable rather than oversupplied, as internal demand and early export programs quickly absorb first‑quality material. A seasonal export calendar centred on August–September shipments underlines the importance of current weeks, with most fresh‑to‑dry conversion focused in Aydın and Bursa and shipped primarily from İzmir.

Spain remains a smaller but strategically important dried‑fig supplier, heavily concentrated in Extremadura, which accounts for well over half of national fig area and output. Recent regional communications highlight around 12,800 hectares of fig orchards and a strong processing base around Almoharín, including cooperatives that can process up to 1.5 million kilograms of dried figs in the current campaign, underpinning reliable supply to domestic and EU buyers.

Weather & Crop Conditions (ES, TR)

The Turkish Aegean fig belt around İzmir is currently experiencing seasonally hot, dry late‑summer conditions, which favour ongoing drying and finishing of the new crop. Industry updates stress that this pattern has supported good brix and colour so far, reducing the risk of quality losses from untimely rain. Over the next three days, local short‑range forecasts point to continued warm, largely dry weather, with only low chances of isolated showers, implying minimal disruption to drying or logistics.

In Spain’s Extremadura, where Calabacita and other local varieties dominate dried‑fig production, the main harvest window from late June to late September is entering its final phase. Regional updates indicate generally favourable conditions, and emergency support measures for summer wildfires focus on specific areas without signalling broad fig‑sector damage. Short‑term weather outlooks call for warm, mostly dry days with typical late‑September temperatures, allowing processing and drying to continue with limited weather risk.

Fundamentals & Market Tone

Fundamentally, the dried‑fig complex is moving from a tight old‑crop environment into a more comfortable 2026/27 supply year. International industry estimates published earlier in 2026 projected increased Turkish production and stable‑to‑higher world output, with Türkiye and Spain retaining their leading roles in global and EU supply respectively. Nevertheless, early‑season pricing behaviour suggests sellers prefer to test demand at firm levels rather than chase volume with discounts.

On the demand side, EU buyers are returning to the market for both industrial and retail programmes as new‑crop samples confirm acceptable quality. Spain’s intra‑EU logistics advantage and competitive "Spanish Gold" offers around 10.90 EUR/FOB Madrid provide a useful hedge for buyers wary of potential freight or inspection bottlenecks on Turkish flows. At the same time, strong marketing activity around Extremadura figs, including regional fairs and promotional events this weekend, is keeping Spanish dried figs prominent in domestic and niche export channels.

Trading Outlook & 3‑Day Price Indication

• For buyers: Consider covering short‑term needs in Turkish organics now, as Protoben and Mini grades are already edging higher and sellers show limited willingness to discount in the face of good quality. Spanish "Spanish Gold" remains attractive for cost‑sensitive EU destinations and as a diversification tool.
• For sellers/exporters: Current price levels are being accepted by the market; with favourable weather and active inquiries, a cautious, firm offer strategy appears justified, especially for premium organic sizes and well‑sorted chopped product.
• For industrial users: Evaluate blends of Turkish and Spanish origins to optimise cost versus quality, taking advantage of Spain’s lower price base while securing Turkish product for top‑tier applications where size, colour and brix are critical.

3‑day directional outlook (ES, TR figs)
In Türkiye (İzmir FOB), dried‑fig prices are expected to remain stable to slightly firmer over the next three days, supported by hot, dry weather and steady export demand. In Spain (Madrid/Extremadura FOB), dried‑fig prices should trade mostly stable with an upward bias, as processors work through peak Calabacita volumes and domestic demand remains solid.