Fig Harvest Season Begins with 388 Thousand Ton Target
· Google Haberler
Turkey maintains its global leadership in fig production with an expected yield of 388,000 tons for the 2026 season and a 28% share in the global market.
Global Leadership and Yield in Figs
As the 2026 fig harvest season officially commences in Turkey, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry İbrahim Yumaklı participated in harvest activities at the Fig Research Institute in İncirliova district of Aydın. According to data announced by Minister Yumaklı, Turkey maintains its global leadership in fig production with a 28% share. An estimated yield of approximately 388,000 tons of fresh figs and 94,000 tons of dried figs is expected for the 2026 season. Turkey also holds a critical position in the global dried fig market, meeting a significant portion, around 60-65%, of world demand single-handedly.
Aydın's Strategic Role in Production
Aydın, the center of fig production, continues to hold strategic importance in both traditional and organic farming. Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry indicates that approximately 60% of Turkey's total fig production is realized within the borders of Aydın alone. This share increases further in organic production, reaching 84% of Turkey's total organic output. The Fig Research Institute operating in the region safeguards species diversity by keeping 354 different fig varieties under protection in its gene bank.
Quality Standards and Contractual Model
Risks of aflatoxin and ochratoxin encountered during harvest and storage processes are among the main agenda items for the sector, as they can lead to the return of exported products. Minister Yumaklı emphasized the importance of coordination between producers, exporters, and the ministry to prevent the formation of these toxins, which are also influenced by climate and environmental factors. It was stated that processing facilities should move towards a contract farming model to bring discipline to the sector, and ministry incentives will continue uninterrupted from the beginning of production to the market stage.
Historical Record Expected in Plant Production
Evaluating Turkey's overall agricultural picture at the harvest program in Aydın, Minister Yumaklı announced that the country has received the best rainfall in the last 66 years. As the grain harvest nears completion, it is projected that total plant production will exceed 140 million tons in 2026 due to favorable meteorological conditions. This projected figure is reported to be recorded as the highest production level of all time.