Turkish Dried Figs Stable as New Export Season Opens

Turkish dried fig prices are holding steady as the 2026/27 export season formally opens, with no immediate upward pressure despite firmer demand expectations into Q4. New-crop export loadings from Türkiye started on September 28, providing clarity and liquidity to the market just as European holiday demand begins to build, while short-term weather in producing regions looks mildly disruptive but not damaging for drying or logistics.

Prices

FOB Malatya quotations for conventional Turkish dried figs are unchanged versus late September, indicating a balanced start to the new export campaign. Natural figs are indicated at EUR 7.8/kg (No. 6), EUR 8.2/kg (No. 5), EUR 8.8/kg (No. 4), EUR 9.2/kg (No. 3), EUR 9.4/kg (No. 2) and EUR 9.6/kg (No. 1) FOB Malatya. Lerida calibres remain at EUR 7.6/kg (No. 7) and EUR 6.1–7.5/kg for Nos. 7–1 FOB Malatya, confirming a flat curve over the past week.

In the Aegean export hub, specialty and organic fig products show a modest premium: organic Lerida No. 4 stands at EUR 14.95/kg FOB İzmir, organic fig Protoben No. 4/5 at EUR 15.65/kg, organic mini figs at EUR 16.15/kg, organic fig cubes at EUR 9.7/kg and conventional chopped whole No. 8/9 at EUR 10.8/kg FOB İzmir. Spanish-origin organic "Spanish Gold" figs are indicated at EUR 10.9/kg FOB Madrid, broadly in line with late-September Turkish offers.

Supply & Demand

Türkiye has officially set 28 September 2026 as the first loading date for the 2026 dried fig crop, allowing customs declarations and shipments of new-season product through the national e-Birlik system. Exporters in the Aegean region expect to exceed 60,000 tonnes of dried fig exports in the 2026/27 season, up from around 55,000 tonnes shipped from the previous crop, underlining a broadly comfortable supply outlook if weather remains cooperative.

Europe remains the key demand driver, with strong seasonal buying for Christmas and New Year. Recent European market analysis underlines that demand for Turkish figs softened in 2024 under high prices but overall import values increased, implying consumers accepted higher unit prices in premium channels. With current Malatya and İzmir offers stable, exporters appear focused on volume recovery into core EU markets rather than pushing prices higher at the start of the campaign.

Weather & Harvest Conditions (TR)

Official weekly forecasts from the Turkish State Meteorological Service indicate that from 1 October much of the country, including Malatya and parts of the Aegean, will see periods of showers and thunderstorms. Local 6–14 day forecasts for Malatya show 1–3 October dominated by moderate to light rain (around 19–21 °C highs), turning drier and partly cloudy by 4 October.

For dried figs, harvest in main Aegean orchards typically peaks in August–September, with drying largely completed by early October. Current rains therefore pose limited risk to fruit quality but may slow final field work and local logistics, especially for late-picked fruit or on-farm handling. Export infrastructure around İzmir is not expected to face major disruption, but exporters may space out collections and loading schedules in the coming days.

Fundamentals & Trade Flows

Recent sector commentary from the Aegean Dried Fruit and Products Exporters’ Association highlights strong ambitions to increase export value beyond USD 350 million in the new season, supported by quality upgrades (UV lamps, better drying equipment) to reduce aflatoxin risk and meet tight EU standards. Medium-term projections from European import studies indicate that Türkiye will remain the dominant supplier, though Iran, Morocco and Egypt are gradually increasing their market shares.

For now, stable FOB levels in Malatya and İzmir suggest exporters are prioritising competitiveness as they rebuild demand in Germany, France, the UK and Italy after a period of high-price-induced demand rationing. With European Christmas contracts being finalised in October, any significant shift in prices is more likely later in Q4 if export registrations outpace expectations or if adverse weather affects remaining late-harvested fruit.

Trading Outlook (Next 1–3 Days)

• Buyers (importers/roasters): Current flat FOB prices in Malatya and İzmir offer a window to cover near-term needs without clear upside pressure; consider securing core Q4 volumes now while monitoring freight and currency moves rather than waiting for potential tightening later in the season.
• Turkish exporters/packers: With new-crop shipments just starting and weather slightly wet, focus on quality segregation and timely drying/logistics; resist aggressive discounting as demand from Europe traditionally strengthens into mid-October.
• Industrial users/retailers in Europe: Given stable Turkish quotes and ongoing competition from other origins, use the next few days to negotiate multi-month supply contracts, including premiums for certified organic and specialty grades where availability is adequate.

3-Day Directional Price Indication (TR, FOB)

• Malatya dried figs (natural & Lerida, FOB): Prices expected to remain broadly stable over the next three days as exporters ramp up new-crop shipping under steady but not overly aggressive European demand.
• İzmir specialty/organic figs (FOB): Premium segment also seen stable in the short term, with any adjustments likely driven by contract negotiations rather than by immediate supply shocks or weather-related losses.