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 Figs are one of the earliest fruits cultivated
by man. Native to areas from Asiatic Turkey to northern
India, figs spread to all the countries around the Mediterranean.
Today, the United States, Turkey, Greece and Spain are the
primary producing nations of dried figs.
In California, four principle varieties of
figs are grown: the amber colored Calimyrna; the dark, purplish
colored Mission; the Adriatic and the Kadota. The Calimyrna
and the Mission varieties are the most prevalent varieties
in the whole fig market and represent over two-thirds of
the California fig production. The Adriatic variety is used
almost exclusively in the production of fig paste. The Kadota
is canned in its fresh state for a small consumer market
or is highly sulfured and dried for export.
The Spaniards brought figs to the Americas
in the early 1500’s. Figs made their way to California
through the missionary fathers who planted them from San
Diego to Sonoma. The “Mission Fig” takes its
name from this history.
The Smyrna fig was imported in 1882 by
a San Joaquin Valley grower who renamed it Calimyrna, in
honor of its new home. California’s commercial fig
growing efforts started in 1885. It was not until about 1900,
however,
that the unique caprification and pollination method
for the Calimyrna fig was discovered and established, making
wide-scale
production a possibility.
 Valley Fig Growers is located in Fresno,
California. All of the commercially sold dried figs produced
in the United States are grown in the Fresno area and north,
in the fertile San Joaquin Valley. California represents
20% of the world production of dried figs.
Valley Fig Growers was established in
1959 and is the largest handler of figs in North America.
The cooperative has 30 grower members representing
about 40% of the California fig industry.
Valley Fig Growers markets its products
worldwide. Retail products are sold under Valley Fig Growers
own brand names of Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice, Sun-Maid
and Old Orchard. |
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