Turkish Dried Figs Hold Firm as New Crop Flows Smoothly to Export Markets

Turkish dried fig prices are broadly steady in late October, with only a modest adjustment in some industrial grades, as a large and good-quality 2026/27 crop meets solid export demand. Buyers see no signs of aggressive discounting yet, despite record supply and early-season shipment strength. The new dried fig season in Türkiye has opened on a strong footing. A record-sized crop and early, brisk exports are supporting confidence among packers, while calm weather in the Aegean and Eastern Anatolia reduces immediate quality risks. Exporters remain focused on managing grade spreads and quality issues such as ochratoxin, but current FOB quotations are holding stable in EUR terms, especially for higher-grade Lerida and organic lines. With Asia and Europe absorbing supply well so far, the near-term outlook is for a sideways market, where buyers have more choice but limited bargaining power on top qualities.

Prices

FOB dried fig prices from Türkiye are stable week-on-week at mid- to high-single-digit EUR/kg for conventional export grades and significantly higher for organic specialties. Conventional chopped whole figs No. 8/9 (İzmir, FOB, TR origin) are quoted at EUR 10.5, easing slightly from earlier in the month. Organic Lerida No. 4 figs (İzmir, FOB) are indicated at EUR 14.85, unchanged in recent updates. Organic fig cubes (İzmir, FOB) trade around EUR 9.7, also flat.

In Malatya, conventional natural and Lerida-style dried figs range from the mid-EUR 6s to just below EUR 10 per FOB kg depending on size and style, with no visible moves since 21 October. Spanish organic figs (Madrid, FOB, ES origin) sit around EUR 10.95, slotting between Turkish conventional and high-end organic lines. Overall, the price structure confirms Türkiye’s role as the global benchmark, with a clear premium for organic and smaller, specialty selections.

Supply & Demand

Türkiye enters 2026/27 with a record dried fig crop estimated around 94,000 t, consolidating its position as the main global supplier and price setter. Season-to-date exports from the Aegean Exporters’ Association are described as strong and ahead of last year, with early shipments particularly brisk into Asia and Europe. The broader dried fruit sector in Türkiye generated over USD 1.1 billion in export revenues in the first nine months of 2026, with figs among the leading value drivers.

On the demand side, stable to firm import interest from Europe, the Middle East and Asia is absorbing the larger crop without forcing price concessions on top qualities. However, recent EU border notifications for ochratoxin A in dried organic figs from Türkiye underline ongoing quality-compliance risks that could selectively pressure lower-standard lots or specific exporters. For now, these issues appear contained and have not triggered broad-based discounts in benchmark FOB quotations.

Fundamentals & Weather

The fundamental balance for 2026/27 is characterised by abundant raw material availability, a clear quality hierarchy and firm farmgate prices set by leading cooperatives. Industrial-grade figs reportedly trade at much lower local-currency levels than table grades, helping packers maintain competitive blended costs and supporting stable export offers in EUR. With export demand robust at the season’s start, there is little pressure to cut prices aggressively.

Weather conditions in key fig regions are seasonally calm. In the Aegean coastal belt around İzmir, October 2026 is running with typical mild, dry Mediterranean conditions, limiting post-harvest spoilage risk. In Malatya, October temperatures have been in the low-to-mid 20s °C with cool nights, favouring safe storage and processing rather than active field development. No major weather shocks have been reported that would materially affect the already-harvested 2026 crop or short-term logistics.

Short-Term Outlook & Trading Ideas

Over the next three days, Aegean and Eastern Anatolian fig regions are expected to see seasonally mild, mostly dry autumn weather, supporting smooth warehouse operations and transport. With exports progressing steadily and inventories comfortably covered by a record crop, the near-term price path is sideways, with modest downside risk in industrial grades if demand softens.

• For importers: Use the current stability to secure Q4–Q1 coverage on preferred Lerida and organic lines; focus on supplier documentation to mitigate ochratoxin and compliance risks.
• For packers/exporters: Maintain offer discipline on higher grades but stay flexible on industrial assortments to keep pipelines full and manage large raw stocks.
• For traders: The flat forward curve and strong fundamental supply argue for range-trading strategies rather than directional bets in the short term, with attention to any sudden shifts in Asian or EU buying.

3‑Day Directional Price Indication (FOB, TR)

• İzmir – export grades (Lerida, organic, chopped): Stable; no meaningful EUR movement expected in the next 3 days.
• Malatya – conventional natural & Lerida figs: Stable to slightly soft bias for industrial lots; headline export sizes seen flat.
• Spanish organic figs (Madrid, ES): Stable, tracking Turkish benchmarks without independent momentum.