Why Are Figs So Expensive? (Top 6 Reasons)

Fig farming is a business that requires a lot of attention and hard work in order to make a profit.

Fig trees take several years to start bearing fruit, which makes growing fig trees a long-term investment.

The farms must make sure the trees are watered well and receive enough sunlight in order to thrive.

Also, not all figs are ready for harvest at the same time.

This means that there are only a certain number of figs ready to be picked each day, so they must be picked by hand.

Besides the standard costs associated with growing any type of crops, fig trees have other specific requirements that make it difficult to maintain a profit.

The fruit is harvested by hand, which can be costly and time-intensive.

The tree itself also requires specific conditions in order to produce the fruit and these conditions don’t come cheaply.

Finally, once ripe, figs have a limited shelf life and will spoil if not properly taken care of after harvest.

On top of all this, since fig farming is not incredibly common around the world, it can be difficult to find workers that possess the skills and knowledge necessary to work on a fig farm.

Figs are also susceptible to disease and pests such as birds, rodents, and worms that can further drive up labor costs.

Why are figs so expensive?

Fig trees are not easy to grow, and the amount of time it takes for a fig tree to produce mature fruit is long.

It can take up to five years before the first fruits come in, with another two years before they are ready for harvest.

With this type of production schedule, it is no wonder that fresh figs are so expensive at the grocery store!

Here, We’re going to elaborate on some factors contributing to the high price of figs.

Very short shelf life

Figs are so expensive because they do not last long.

The short shelf life of the fruit makes it hard to mass-produce, which adds to the cost of producing and selling them.

Good source of both calcium and potassium

Figs are also very nutritious.

They contain a good amount of fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and copper.

Figs are also packed with potassium, which is great for heart health while lowering blood pressure.

Picking figs is dangerous and burn the skin

Picking figs is dangerous and burn the skin

Fig trees must be handpicked because they are delicate fruits that don’t handle being harvested by machines well.

The spines on the fruit can cause burns to workers’ hands if proper precautions aren’t taken – this too to the price producers must charge.

Specific Conditions Needed

Fig trees do best when they’re grown in Mediterranean-style climates.

In the United States, this means California and parts of southern Florida.

These areas have hot summers with cool nights, which is perfect for the fruit.

In other parts of the country, it can be difficult to grow figs without a greenhouse or another form of protection from the elements.

Figs need specific conditions in order to grow well – this includes hot days with cool nights or warm days with cold nights

Increasing Demand

Figs are increasingly popular around the world as a health food due to their high fiber content, antioxidants, calcium, potassium, phytochemicals which have not yet been identified or included on any nutritional label.

China is one of the biggest importers of figs along with other Southeast Asian countries.

Takes a long time

It can take anywhere from three to five years for a fig tree that was started from seed to bear its first fruit.

This means that figs are an investment for farmers, and they require to be compensated for their work.

Are figs healthy?

Figs are a nutrient-dense food, rich in vitamins and minerals.

They are low in calories and high in fiber, so they provide many health benefits.

Figs have a variety of potential health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of cancer.

Figs are nutrient-dense fruits that contain a variety of beneficial micronutrients, including calcium, potassium and dietary fiber.

These nutrients support bone health and cardiovascular function.

Eating two servings of figs also provides around 10 percent of the daily requirement for iron.

This fruit is also a good source of vitamin C, which is needed for healthy immune function and collagen synthesis.

Are figs good for you?

Figs have a variety of potential health benefits.

They may improve digestion and decrease constipation, help manage blood fat and blood sugar levels, and kill cancer cells.

Although people can eat figs raw, many prefer them cooked because they taste better.

Dried figs are higher in calories than fresh fruit, but they contain fiber, iron, and calcium.

Although figs contain a variety of different phytochemicals and nutrients, their health benefits derive from the fact that they are an important source of dietary fiber.

Fiber is known to decrease blood cholesterol levels and slow glucose absorption, helping to balance blood sugar levels; this may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Figs also contain levulose, glucose, and fructose.

The flesh of figs is rich in calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium.

Calcium helps prevent osteoporosis; potassium helps lower high blood pressure; iron supports the body’s immune system and, magnesium is an essential nutrient that helps regulate blood sugar levels, support the cardiovascular system and maintain bone health.

What are the benefits of eating figs?

Figs are one of those superfoods that you should eat a few times a week because they’re packed with vitamins and minerals, particularly dietary fiber.

Figs are rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which are thought to help prevent cancer and reduce the risk of heart disease.

They’re also high in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

Munching on fresh figs is the best way to eat them, but they’re also available dried, either in small soft pieces or as a whole dried fruit.

The whole fruit will be higher in fiber, but it may take longer to eat them, so you’ll get less sugar and more bulk per mouthful which can help keep your appetite under control.

It’s recommended that if using figs for weight loss that they are used sparingly because as dried fruit, they are calorific.

What happens if I eat too many figs?

Figs are healthy and nutritious, so you should be fine to eat as many as you like.

However, some people find that eating too much dried fruit like figs can cause digestive discomfort or diarrhea because of the high fiber content.

If you do experience this, then reduce how many figs you eat or swap to smaller dried fruits like sultanas which aren’t as high in fibre.

The combination of dietary fibre and carbohydrates can also lead to blood sugar levels rising quickly after eating, so if you’re trying to lose weight, allow yourself a couple of hours after eating dried fruit before you eat or drink anything else.

The fibre will still be releasing its sugars, so it’s best not to drink on an empty stomach, but this doesn’t mean you can’t have a glass of water alongside your figs.

Are there any risks associated with eating figs? 

Fig leaves and seeds can be toxic if eaten in quantity, so it’s important not to eat them.

The leaves contain a chemical called furanocoumarin which is activated by enzymes when the plant is damaged and can cause serious blistering to the mouth and throat, as well as dizziness and vomiting.

The toxicity of figs themselves is much less, but if you are eating them fresh, then they shouldn’t be eaten in large quantities because they are high in sugar.

This may cause an upset tummy if eaten too many at once.

Are figs good for your liver?

Figs are thought to help cleanse the liver and restore its health, so it’s possible that they may help to reduce liver inflammation.

It’s difficult to know if this is due to their high fiber content, but the seeds are thought to contain special chemicals that prevent the formation of fatty acids in the liver, which can be caused by eating too much-saturated fat.

This in turn makes it more suitable for people with cholesterol problems and other forms of liver disease.

In conclusion

Figs are expensive because they do not have a long shelf life, their growth is dependent on specific conditions and the fruit must be picked by hand.

Fig trees take a few years before they can produce fruit, so often producers will charge high prices to cover the cost of growing them for several years.

Finally, demand for figs from countries like China has caused an increase in the price of the fruit.

In addition to all this, it may just be that people simply love eating figs!