Turkish Dried Figs: Record Crop Meets Firm Farmgate Prices

The 2026/2027 Turkish dried fig season opens with a record 94,000 t crop, firm but clearly tiered Tariş purchase prices, and export offers that remain broadly stable in EUR despite the larger supply. Quality looks better than in recent years, keeping high-grade fruit well supported while industrial material trades at deep discounts. The export campaign has started quickly, helped by early crop availability and favourable weather during fruit development and drying. Tariş has set a wide price band from 30 TL for industrial figs up to 250 TL for premium A1 grades (36–40 pcs/kg), which anchors growers' expectations and frames the margin room for packers. With Turkey again supplying the bulk of global dried fig demand and a roughly 20% larger crop than last year, buyers see comfortable physical availability but remain attentive to quality selection, mycotoxin compliance and logistics. In this context, EUR-denominated FOB prices from Malatya and İzmir show stability rather than the sharp downside that a record crop alone might suggest.

Prices

New-season farmgate prices announced by the Tariş Fig Union for 2026/2027 span a very wide range, underlining the strong differentiation by size and quality. A1 quality (36–40 pieces/kg) is fixed at 250 TL, A2 (41–45 pieces/kg) at 220 TL, A4 (51–55 pieces/kg) at 200 TL, while industrial grade figs are set at only 30 TL. This structure rewards large, clean fruit and leaves ample headroom for selective buying of low-grade material.

Export FOB levels in EUR are broadly steady compared with recent weeks. Conventional dried figs from Malatya trade around 9.6 EUR/kg FOB for No. 1 natural, easing to 7.8–8.8 EUR/kg for Nos. 6–4 natural and about 7.6 EUR/kg for No. 7 lerida. Lerida-type lower sizes start near 6.1 EUR/kg FOB and rise to 7.5 EUR/kg for No. 1. Organic and specialty lines from İzmir command a clear premium, with organic Lerida No. 4 at 14.95 EUR/kg FOB, organic Protoben No. 4/5 at 15.67 EUR/kg, organic mini figs at 16.1 EUR/kg, and organic fig cubes at 9.7 EUR/kg FOB.

The table below summarizes key current quotations in EUR (FOB):

Supply & Demand

The official projection for 2026/2027 Turkish dried figs stands at 94,000 tons, described as the highest yield in recent times and broadly in line with government and industry estimates. Turkey typically accounts for around 60–65% of global dried fig demand, so this crop size implies ample exportable surplus alongside increased domestic usage.

Favourable weather during flowering, fruit set, and much of the drying period has boosted both yield and intrinsic quality. At the same time, processors remain vigilant over aflatoxin and other mycotoxin risks, as the sector has seen tighter EU border controls and a higher share of RASFF notifications in recent years. This duality explains why Tariş and exporters strongly reward large, clean fruit, while industrial-grade material is heavily discounted and absorbed mainly into processing and paste applications.

On the demand side, early export figures from late September confirm a brisk start to the season, as buyers in Europe and other traditional markets secure coverage after last year’s comparatively tighter supply. Competition from Iran, Afghanistan and Mediterranean origins remains present but limited in volume relative to Turkey’s dominant position, and many international buyers continue to prefer established Turkish supply chains and certification standards for both conventional and organic figs.

Fundamentals & Weather

Structurally, the combination of a record crop and the newly announced Tariş purchase ladder provides a clear fundamental framework. High farmgate levels for A1 and A2 grades support the upper part of the export market and limit aggressive undercutting for premium sizes. Conversely, the very low 30 TL level for industrial figs allows packers to keep blended cost averages competitive and helps absorb fruit that does not meet export standards without depressing headline price benchmarks.

Weather has been broadly supportive so far. The Turkish Ministry of Agriculture highlights that 2026 brought the best rainfall in 66 years, underpinning high yields for figs and other crops. Industry crop tours and private reports confirm that orchards in Aydın and surrounding Aegean regions entered the drying phase with full trees and generally healthy fruit. Short-term risks now center on any late rain during the tail of the drying and collection period, which could affect colour, skin integrity, and mold pressure, particularly for fruit left longer on drying racks.

From a global balance perspective, the 94,000 t Turkish crop follows several seasons of more moderate output. International statistics had pointed to world dried fig production around 156,000 t in 2025/26, with Turkey already the largest contributor. The current increase therefore reinforces Turkey’s role as the price setter for the world market going into 2026/2027.

Trading Outlook (next weeks)

• Price direction: With Tariş farmgate prices set and export FOB indications stable, the near-term bias is sideways to slightly softer for mid-range conventional grades, while premium large fruit and organic lines should remain firm given strong quality and limited true substitutes.
• Buy-side strategy (industry/importers): Consider layering in coverage on No. 2–5 natural and Lerida grades at current Malatya levels, as the record crop is already priced in and further significant downside would likely require either currency moves or a notable slowdown in demand.
• Sell-side strategy (growers/packers): Producers with top A1–A2 quality may hold a bit longer, as the Tariş scale and early export interest support premiums. Hold less on borderline or industrial lots, where increased supply and quality risk argue for timely sales.
• Risk focus: Monitor late-season weather in the Aegean, EU border control developments on mycotoxins, and logistics costs. Any deterioration in weather or stricter rejections could further widen the spread between export-grade and industrial figs.

3‑day Regional Price Indication

• Malatya (TR) – Conventional dried figs FOB: Prices for standard Nos. 1–7 natural and Lerida are expected to remain broadly unchanged over the next three trading days, holding around the current 6.1–9.6 EUR/kg range, with tight spreads between recent quotations.
• İzmir (TR) – Organic & specialty dried figs FOB: Organic Lerida, Protoben, mini figs and cubes are likely to trade steady at present levels between 9.7 and 16.1 EUR/kg, supported by strong quality perceptions and limited organic availability.
• Madrid (ES) – Organic Spanish dried figs FOB: Spanish Gold organic figs are expected to remain stable around 10.9 EUR/kg FOB in the very short term, tracking Turkish moves but buffered by smaller local volumes.