Iranian dried figs ...
Page 1
Estahban figs are primarily not eaten fresh, contrary to what many people believe. The common misconception is that these figs are harvested from the tree and then dried in factories through a series of processing steps. However, the reality is quite different.
In truth, the figs undergo a natural drying process while still on the tree, and they are only collected once fully dried.
Abbas Rezazadeh, the chair of Iran Fig Association, highlights Iran’s prominent position as one of the largest producers and exporters of dried figs globally. Speaking to Iran Daily, he said Estahban, specifically, holds the esteemed title of being the capital of Iran’s dried fig production, boasting the largest dried fig orchard worldwide.
According to Rezazadeh, a substantial portion of the annual dried fig production, typically ranging from 10,000 to 18,000 tons, is exported. The primary destination for these exports is China, accounting for up to 90 percent of the total, with the remaining portion being sent to the Persian Gulf Arab countries, the European Union nations, Japan, South Korea, Russia and Central Asian nations.
In 2021, approximately 15,000 tons of dried figs were exported from Iran, generating around $55 million.
Rezazadeh discusses the ongoing development of fig orchards in Iran, noting that over the last four years, a significant portion of the country’s agricultural lands has been allocated to cultivate fig trees. Considering the approximate five-year period required for these trees to bear fruit, the production of dried figs in Iran is projected to increase by one and a half to two times within the next eight years.
This expansion is not confined to Estahban alone; other cities in Fars Province, including Neyriz, Darab, Jahrom, and Kazeroon, have also witnessed the development of fig orchards. Moreover, the cultivation of Estahban fig cuttings has extended to other provinces such as Kermanshah, Hamedan, and East Azarbaijan.
Although precise statistics on the total cultivated area of fig orchards across Iran are unavailable, it is evident that a substantial portion is concentrated in Estahban city and Fars Province. The current estimated area of fig orchards in the province stands at around 22,000 hectares, with new orchards covering an additional 5,000 hectares.
Apart from Fars Province, western Kermanshah Province also grows a distinct type of fig similar to those found in Turkey. These figs are coarse and have moist texture. They are typically drawn out into thread-like strands before being sold as flour-coated nuts. Additionally, in northern Galugah County, another variety of fig trees and orchards predominantly serves the fresh fruit market.