Turkey dominates global dried fig supply, but not all Turkish suppliers document aflatoxin testing to EU border control standards, and a shipment that fails inspection at the port cannot be fixed retroactively. Nutrada lists GFSI-certified dried fig suppliers from Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Morocco, filterable by certification, form, and origin, so you can shortlist compliant suppliers before placing an order.
| Botanical name | Ficus carica |
| Available forms | Whole dried, layer figs, diced figs, fig paste, fig powder |
| Key origins | Turkey (dominant), Iran, Egypt, Morocco, California (USA) |
| Applications | Confectionery, bakery, energy bars, dried fruit mixes, fig bars, sauces, natural sweetener, fig paste as a natural binder in formulations |
| Certifications | GFSI (BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000), EU Organic, USDA NOP, Halal, Kosher |
| Packaging | 5 or 10 kg carton boxes (whole/layer figs); 25 kg carton boxes (diced, paste) |
| MOQ | From 10 kg (varies by form and supplier) |
| Category | Dried Fruits |
Turkey is the global benchmark origin for dried figs and the dominant European import source, with the Sariliop (Sari Lop) variety from the Aydin and Izmir regions setting the quality standard for whole dried figs traded into European food manufacturing and retail.
The processing form determines the most suitable buying specification: whole dried figs are graded by count per 10 kg box (lower count = larger fruit), while diced and paste formats are specified by moisture content and, for diced, by the oiling agent used to prevent clumping.
| Form | Key characteristics | Primary application |
| Whole dried figs | Natural split from drying; moisture typically 18–26%; size grades 60–200 count per 10 kg | Premium retail packs, dried fruit mixes, direct consumption |
| Diced figs | Oiled to prevent clumping (typically rice flour or sunflower oil); specify oiling agent for allergen declarations | Bakery, energy bars, granola, confectionery fillings |
| Fig paste | Blended from whole figs; moisture-controlled; no added sugar in natural formats | Fig rolls, biscuit fillings, confectionery, natural sweetener in formulations |
When sourcing diced figs, confirm the anti-caking agent: rice flour is the standard for gluten-free applications; oat flour-coated diced figs would disqualify a gluten-free product claim. Sunflower oil is the alternative where oil coating is preferred over flour. This is a detail frequently omitted from standard product specifications but which has direct relevance to allergen declarations and labelling.
Furthermore, Turkish-origin figs are traded under specific commercial grade names that determine size, presentation, and price:
Dried figs are high in natural sugars (approximately 50–60% sugars by weight) and are hygroscopic; above 25% moisture, fermentation risk increases during storage. Standard whole fig moisture is 18 to 22% for food manufacturing and 22 to 26% for soft retail formats.
Cold storage at 0 to 5°C is recommended for shelf life of 12 to 18 months; at ambient temperature (below 20°C, dry), shelf life is typically 6 to 12 months.
Under Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, dried figs are subject to aflatoxin limits (aflatoxin B1 ≤5 μg/kg, total aflatoxins ≤10 μg/kg); request aflatoxin testing documentation on every bulk order as this is an active EU border control check for fig imports.
The Turkish fig harvest runs from August to October. New crop Turkish figs typically enter the market from October; buying pre-harvest is common for volume buyers to secure stock.
Turkey is also the primary certified organic fig source for European buyers, with EU Organic certified supply from the Aegean region available from several established exporters.
California (Brown Turkey, Black Mission varieties) offers USDA NOP and EU Organic certified figs in very limited volumes at a significant higher price compared to Turkish organic.
Morocco offers EU Organic certified figs at competitive pricing, primarily in whole dried format.
Whole dried figs in 200 g, 250 g, and 500 g retail pouches are the standard private label format. Soft, plump whole figs at the higher moisture end of the range (22–26%) are preferred for premium retail.
Fig bars and fig rolls require fig paste as the input ingredient, which is a separate procurement item from whole dried figs; fig paste suppliers typically require a minimum order of 500 kg.
For organic-label positioning, confirm that no sulphur dioxide has been used in drying or preservation, as its use is prohibited in organic products.
Iran is a significant alternative origin offering competitive pricing on whole dried figs, but requires more rigorous aflatoxin documentation for EU import clearance than Turkish-origin supply; request third-party aflatoxin test results from an accredited laboratory as standard, not just a supplier CoA.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified dried fig manufacturers from Turkey, Iran, Egypt, and Morocco, covering whole dried, diced, layer, paste, and powder forms in conventional and organic-certified quality.
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Last updated: Mar 12, 2026
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