Figs Production by Country 2025
The ancient fig—humanity's possibly first cultivated fruit—thrives across 52 countries with Türkiye dominating at 356,000 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 347,000 tonnes by 2025. The world produced 1,304,848 tonnes in 2023, expanding 0.9% year-on-year. Egypt follows with 193,058 tonnes, while Morocco produces 119,167 tonnes. This Biblical fruit (remember Adam and Eve's fig leaves?) has fed civilizations for 11,000+ years. Whether enjoyed fresh, dried into chewy sweetness, or transformed into jam, figs deliver honeyed flavor and crunchy seeds. From Turkish Smyrna figs to California's Mission variety, these teardrop-shaped fruits grace everything from cheese plates to energy bars.
Türkiye's 356,000 tonnes represents about 27% of global production, with Aydın province alone producing 60% of the country's crop. The famous Sarılop variety (marketed as "Smyrna figs") dominates dried fig exports—those golden, tender figs you find in fancy stores worldwide. Turkish production grew from 306,499 tonnes in 2018, reflecting expanded orchards and improved drying technology. The Aegean region's Mediterranean climate provides perfect conditions. About 90% of Turkish figs are dried for export, commanding premium prices in European and American markets. Fresh figs serve domestic consumption. Challenges include alternaria rot, fig mosaic virus, and labor shortages during harvest. Turkey's fig industry combines ancient traditions (sun-drying on wooden racks) with modern processing facilities. Egypt produces 193,058 tonnes with significant volatility, cultivating both fresh market and drying varieties. Morocco contributes 119,167 tonnes and Algeria 116,183 tonnes, making North Africa a major production zone. These countries grow figs in oases and Mediterranean coastal areas, with production supporting rural livelihoods. Fresh figs dominate local markets, while dried figs enter export channels. Iran adds 73,483 tonnes, though production has declined from 111,111 tonnes in 2018 due to water scarcity. Afghanistan's production jumped to 60,651 tonnes, reflecting agricultural recovery. The region faces challenges from water scarcity, fig wasps (essential for pollination but sometimes problematic), and post-harvest losses in fresh fruit handling. Spain produces 39,650 tonnes, focusing on fresh market varieties for European consumption. Italy contributes 13,030 tonnes, often from heritage orchards in Sicily and Calabria. Greece (8,440 tonnes) maintains traditional production despite economic challenges. The United States produces 27,744 tonnes, primarily in California's San Joaquin Valley, with both fresh (Black Mission, Brown Turkey) and drying varieties (Calimyrna). Brazil (20,881 tonnes) and Mexico (12,489 tonnes) serve growing Latin American markets. These regions emphasize fresh fruit quality, with shorter harvest-to-market times and cold chain logistics. European production faces labor costs and competition from imports, while American production battles drought and rising water costs. Figs pack natural sweetness (16% sugar when fresh, 48% when dried!) with impressive nutrition. They provide fiber (especially dried figs at 10g per 100g), potassium, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. The crunchy "seeds" are actually tiny flowers—figs are inverted flowers! Fresh figs offer 74 calories per 100g, dried figs 249 calories. They contain ficin enzyme aiding digestion. Culinary uses span sweet and savory: fresh figs with prosciutto and cheese, fig jam, dried figs in baking, fig bars (Newton, anyone?), and Middle Eastern desserts. The fruit's short fresh season (June-September in Northern Hemisphere) makes dried figs year-round staples. Pro tip: fresh figs don't ripen after picking—buy them ready to eat! Fig trees (Ficus carica) thrive in Mediterranean climates with hot, dry summers and mild winters. They tolerate poor soils and drought once established, living 50-100+ years. Trees need 100-200 chill hours and temperatures above -12°C. Most commercial varieties require pollination by tiny fig wasps (fascinating symbiosis!), though some are parthenocarpic (self-fruiting). Harvest occurs 2-3 times annually as figs ripen unevenly. Major challenges include fig mosaic virus, rust, sour rot, and birds/insects attacking ripe fruit. Climate change brings irregular rainfall and heat stress. Traditional production uses minimal inputs, but modern orchards adopt drip irrigation and integrated pest management. Organic fig production grows, especially for premium dried fruit markets. Global fig markets value dried figs at $2000-4,000/tonne for premium grades, fresh figs $1,500-3,000/tonne. Turkish dried figs dominate exports, commanding premiums for quality and consistency. Fresh fig markets are regional due to short shelf life (3-5 days). Organic and specialty figs fetch 30-50% premiums. The health food trend boosts dried fig consumption as natural sweeteners and energy snacks. Climate change affects flowering times and fruit quality. Labor-intensive harvesting (figs picked individually when ripe) increases costs. Retail trends favor ready-to-eat fresh figs and premium dried varieties. Export markets grow from Mediterranean producers to Northern Europe and North America. Processing into pastes, jams, and fig-based products creates value-added opportunities. Global production should grow 2-3% annually through 2025, driven by health consciousness and gourmet food trends. Climate-adapted varieties help farmers cope with water scarcity and temperature extremes. The industry invests in improved drying technology, cold storage for fresh figs, and organic certification. Value-added products—fig energy bars, fig vinegar, and fig-based sweeteners—create new markets. Fresh fig consumption grows in urban areas with improved logistics. Sustainability focus drives water-efficient irrigation and reduced pesticide use. Ancient fig varieties gain attention for unique flavors and climate resilience. This Biblical fruit's nutritional profile, natural sweetness, and culinary versatility position it well for future markets, though production must balance tradition with modern efficiency while adapting to climate challenges.🏆 Türkiye's Fig Empire
Figs Production by Country 2025
1
347,000
2
200,804
3
121,300
4
114,096
5
70,458
6
59,687
7
44,913
8
40,475
9
29,238
10
28,260
11
27,826
12
23,822
13
23,533
14
20,324
15
14,838
16
14,148
17
12,282
18
12,181
19
12,075
20
11,911
21
10,362
22
8,323
23
8,224
24
6,959
25
4,968
26
3,786
27
3,527
28
3,457
29
3,426
30
3,095
31
2,743
32
2,519
33
2,374
34
1,857
35
1,824
36
1,246
37
1,221
38
1,048
39
868
40
860
41
806
42
655
43
524
44
215
45
133
46
120
47
102
48
94
49
72
50
65
51
64
52
36
🌍 North African Fig Belt
🌎 Mediterranean Traditions and New World Production
💪 Nature's Candy with Benefits
🌱 Ancient Cultivation, Modern Challenges
📈 Premium Markets and Export Dynamics
🔮 Sweet Future Ahead
Figs Production by Country 2025
#
1
306,499
310,000
320,000
320,000
350,000
356,000
347,000
2
221,369
215,450
299,450
211,438
206,626
193,058
200,804
3
128,380
153,472
144,246
144,153
109,620
119,167
121,300
4
109,214
114,092
116,143
107,266
115,170
116,183
114,096
5
111,111
130,328
80,128
66,789
67,861
73,483
70,458
6
9,501
24,319
15,994
59,756
58,036
60,651
59,687
7
47,750
51,600
59,900
60,190
43,500
39,650
44,913
8
38,035
43,015
46,502
40,996
39,653
40,760
40,475
9
21,000
24,800
30,300
32,243
29,844
27,673
29,238
10
0
0
26,667
27,536
28,050
28,676
28,260
11
27,618
28,526
27,434
27,859
27,940
27,744
27,826
12
27,400
27,000
19,600
24,150
23,700
23,764
23,822
13
24,448
22,024
21,889
24,095
23,464
23,350
23,533
14
23,674
22,526
19,639
22,078
18,227
20,881
20,324
15
14,575
14,683
15,034
14,764
14,827
14,875
14,838
16
14,012
14,378
14,044
14,144
14,189
14,126
14,148
17
11,861
12,733
12,336
12,113
12,394
12,281
12,282
18
11,215
12,074
12,266
12,620
12,334
11,914
12,181
19
7,705
9,466
12,010
11,896
11,505
12,489
12,075
20
10,650
11,830
12,180
12,760
9,480
13,030
11,911
21
9,720
9,673
10,420
11,007
10,137
10,239
10,362
22
3,104
9,265
9,322
9,681
8,846
7,465
8,323
23
16,010
19,730
19,840
7,480
8,360
8,440
8,224
24
3,340
3,340
7,170
6,440
6,920
7,190
6,959
25
5,010
4,971
4,952
4,978
4,967
4,966
4,968
26
3,808
3,776
3,784
3,808
3,791
3,774
3,786
27
3,740
4,610
4,410
5,000
3,140
3,170
3,527
28
5,330
3,459
3,335
3,590
3,463
3,400
3,457
29
894
980
1,005
939
4,469
3,795
3,426
30
4,050
3,330
3,180
3,014
3,205
3,061
3,095
31
2,974
3,093
3,033
2,878
2,914
2,587
2,743
32
2,574
2,413
2,670
2,758
2,471
2,451
2,519
33
2,414
2,387
2,381
2,356
2,377
2,380
2,374
34
1,227
1,234
1,713
1,602
1,631
2,095
1,857
35
2,197
2,168
2,049
1,980
1,850
1,746
1,824
36
645
641
655
863
1,282
1,378
1,246
37
1,225
1,219
1,221
1,222
1,220
1,221
1,221
38
1,340
1,600
1,760
1,180
1,040
1,000
1,048
39
866
865
866
868
868
868
868
40
663
626
879
894
761
906
860
41
800
810
790
770
940
740
806
42
667
686
652
647
662
655
655
43
497
1,516
1,649
445
448
601
524
44
225
192
165
202
233
209
215
45
140
133
129
145
137
126
133
46
0
20
40
80
130
130
120
47
50
80
100
50
90
130
102
48
93
96
94
94
94
94
94
49
69
73
72
71
72
72
72
50
60
30
50
40
90
60
65
51
7
8
6
9
27
108
64
52
36
36
36
36
36
36
36
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country produces the most figs in the world?
Türkiye is the world's largest figs producer with 356,000 tonnes in 2023, projected to reach 347,000 tonnes by 2025, accounting for approximately 27% of global production. Egypt ranks second with 193,058 tonnes, showing significant year-to-year volatility. Morocco ranks third at 119,167 tonnes. Türkiye's production concentrates in Aydın province, which alone produces 60% of the country's crop. The famous Sarılop variety (marketed as "Smyrna figs") dominates dried fig exports worldwide. About 90% of Turkish figs are dried for export, commanding premium prices in European and American markets, while fresh figs serve domestic consumption.
Are the crunchy bits in figs really seeds or something else?
Plot twist—those crunchy bits aren't seeds at all! Figs are actually inverted flowers. What we eat is a fleshy structure called a syconium containing hundreds of tiny flowers inside. Each crunchy bit is a complete flower that's been pollinated (usually by tiny fig wasps in a fascinating symbiotic relationship). So you're eating flowers, not seeds! This unique structure makes figs botanically fascinating. Some commercial varieties are parthenocarpic (develop fruit without pollination), producing hollow "seeds," while wasp-pollinated figs have crunchier texture. This is why fresh figs sometimes have that slightly gritty texture—you're munching on hundreds of tiny flowers. The fig-wasp relationship is so specific that each fig species has its own wasp species. Mind-blowing biology in every bite!
Data Disclaimer: Projected data (future years) are estimates based on mathematical models. Actual values may differ. Learn about our methodology →
Sources
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Updated: 13.11.2025https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
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