Dried Fig Market Report

Increasing awareness among consumers related nutritional benefits of dried figs, as consumers becoming more health-conscious and seeking natural, nutrient-dense foods, as healthier snacking options, this led to market players to innovate in packaging for maintaining product freshness and enhance shelf appeal. For instance, in April 2024, USDA announced to purchase dried, under authority sector 32, for distribution purpose to various nutrition assistant programmes, to promote healthy eating habits, prevent malnutrition and improve overall health outcomes as well as expand the research and development in dried fig market.

Growing preference for organic dried figs, and increasingly adopting of organic farming practices and certifications to meet this demand and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Manufacturers and suppliers are offering various forms of dried figs, such as whole figs, diced figs, fig paste, and fig powder, allowing different culinary and industrial applications, catering to different customer needs. For instance, in May 2023, International Nut & Dried Fruit Council organised 40th world nut and dried congress in London, having 1300 professionals, from more then 60 countries, includes discussion on different types of nuts and dry fruits, resulting in expansion of dried fig export market globally.

The production of dried figs is highly dependent on weather conditions and seasonal factors. Variations in climate, such as drought or excessive rainfall, can affect the yields and quality, leading to fluctuations in supply and pricing resulting in hampering of market growth. Additionally, due to the dependence on weather and seasonal factors, the prices of dried figs can be volatile, can affect both producers and consumers, making it challenging for costs and production plan forecasting.

However, increasing competition from other dried fruits and snacks in the market, such as raisins, dates, apricots, and prunes, as these alternatives are more widely available, cheaper, and are used in more culinary applications. Despite increasing efforts in promoting the healthy benefits and versatility of dried figs, consumer awareness and preferences vary regionally, as in some markets, dried figs may be less familiar or less commonly used in everyday cooking and snacking compared to other dried fruits.

Furthermore, to maintain the the quality of product during storage and transportation is important for longer shelf life, as they are more susceptible to spoilage and can be challenging in certain climatic conditions.  In addition, maintaining high hygienic processing standards, and packaging is essential but requires investment and adherence to meet food safety standards across different markets can be a challenge for producers and exporters.

With significant increase in the availability of organic dried fig, companies are responding to consumer demand for sustainably sourced products by obtaining organic certifications and promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. For instance, in May 2022, Kral Incir launched automated sensor dried fig sorting machine TOMRA, provides optical sorting, helping in sorting of foreign materials such as glass, metal and stones and mycotoxin frictions, enabling products health safety by preventing formation of aflatoxin, a harmful fungus, providing expansion in global export.

Market players are launching single-serve snack packs of dried figs, catering to the growing demand for convenient, on-the-go snacks. These portion-controlled packs appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for nutritious and satisfying snack options. For instance, in June 2023, Sunny Fruits announced to launch prebiotic organic dried figs in china, these are infused with probiotics of chicory root fibres, and to increase the health benefits fruits contain oligofructose enriched inulin and bacillus coagulan GBI, providing benefits such as constipation and irrigated bowl movements.

Dried figs are increasingly witnessing growth in North America as being used as ingredients in bread, muffins, and energy bars, and also act as a natural sweetener, with added nutritional value towards healthier baked goods options, can be used as powders in smoothies, juices, and nutritional supplements marketed for their antioxidant and digestive health properties. Many market players are using online platform to offer premium quality gourmet and culinary circles for their sweet flavour and chewy texture, resulting in the market expansion of dried fig products.

The rising demand for dried figs is driven by Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, and Spain as they are the major producers and exporters of dried figs markets worldwide, resulting in expanding Europe and Asia-pacific dried fig market.  In addition, with the increasing health conscious population and growing dried fig recognition as nutritive superfood led to rise in in the demand of dried fig products. Many market players are using e-commerce, for easy accessibility and to wider consumer base to increase market growth.