The Turkish fig season is currently in full swing at Special Fruit. "A challenging season," says Lieve Michielsen of the Flemish importer. "Due to weather conditions, the harvest is generally lower than in other years."
© Special Fruit
"In some regions, fruit drop occurred at the beginning of the season, which affected the overall yield. Fruit size has also lagged this year, with relatively few larger-sized figs. By now, it is estimated that about 70% of the crop has been harvested," she continues. "Although the yield is somewhat lower this year, the quality of figs from the Bursa region remains high. These figs are known for their rich flavour, nutritional value, aroma, and long shelf life. No chemical plant protection products are used, and both growers and exporters work with traceability and hold quality certificates in line with European standards."
The season is expected to continue until the end of September, with Germany traditionally the biggest market for Turkish figs. "However, for us, the largest buyers are also in the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe," Lieve explains. "Purchase prices are relatively high, partly due to rising costs on the production side. Nevertheless, prices are now showing a slight increase again. For exporters, it remains a financially challenging season, partly because of high costs and an unfavourable exchange rate. The season is therefore expected to run until the end of September. In smaller quantities, figs may still be available until around 10–15 October."
And are changing climatic conditions also a concern for the future? "I think it is definitely something to keep an eye on. The current weather conditions indicate that climate change is a factor to consider. The impact on yield and fruit size underlines the importance of further adaptation and preparation within the industry."
For more information:
Lieve Michielsen
Special Fruit
Europastraat 36
2321 Meer, Belgium
Tel: +32 3 315 07 73
[email protected]
www.specialfruit.be