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Most fig consumers have eaten figs as a snack;
many purchasers have also used figs in cooking, either in
baked items or in a cooked dish.
| Seasonality of fig use |
% |
| Only at holidays |
24% |
| Mostly holidays, but also all year |
32% |
| Throughout the years |
44% |
| Product usage |
% |
| As a snack during the evening |
82% |
| At home between meals as a snack during
the day |
75% |
| In baked items, such as pies, cakes,
cookies or pastries |
54% |
| As a dessert after meals |
61% |
| As an ingredient in a cooked dish |
41% |
| As an hors d’oeuvre or appetizer
when entertaining |
28% |
| In a salad |
18% |
| With a packed lunch for children |
14% |
| As a side dish for a meal, by itself |
22% |
| None of those ways |
3% |
| Where do you expect to find figs
in the supermarket |
% |
| Produce |
85% |
| Dried Fruits – Grocery |
12% |
| Baking – Grocery |
1% |
| Other |
2% |
| Perception of California vs.
imported figs |
% |
| California is better |
62% |
| Imported is better |
17% |
| Don’t know/both the same |
21% |
- Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice and Sun-Maid dried
figs are among the most nutritious of all fruits. They are
an excellent source of important minerals such as calcium,
potassium, phosphorous and iron. Blue Ribbon Figs are also
rich in dietary fiber. In fact, with 5 grams of dietary
fiber per 40 grams (1/4 cup), Blue Ribbon California Figs
are unmatched to other common fruits. No need to worry about
fat or cholesterol either; these sweet, chewy fruits contain
neither.
- Enjoy the great taste of Blue Ribbon Orchard
Choice California Figs as a snack, or in cooking wholesome,
nutritious dishes. You can feel good about eating a fruit
as nutritious and tasty as a Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice
California Fig.
The following chart shows the nutritional value
of Blue Ribbon Orchard
Choice and Sun-Maid dried figs:
Figs enjoy a significant upswing in sales during
the winter holiday months. Because Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice
and Sun-Maid Figs have an established franchise, there is
a less dramatic swing in the seasonality index. Consumers
appreciate the taste of our figs year round.
Fig Category
| 1/22 |
2/19 |
3/19 |
4/16 |
5/14 |
6/11 |
7/9 |
8/6 |
9/3 |
10/1 |
10/29 |
11/26 |
12/24 |
| 122 |
110 |
88 |
84 |
69 |
61 |
51 |
47 |
45 |
55 |
96 |
2274 |
254 |
Valley Fig Grower Figs
| 1/22 |
2/19 |
3/19 |
4/16 |
5/14 |
6/11 |
7/9 |
8/6 |
9/3 |
10/1 |
10/29 |
11/26 |
12/24 |
| 110 |
110 |
101 |
106 |
87 |
78 |
67 |
63 |
61 |
76 |
105 |
168 |
178 |
Fig Products Market Share
Valley Fig Growers dominates the Fig Category with our labels of Blue Ribbon
Orchard Choice, Sun-Maid and Old Orchard. In total, Valley Fig Enjoys a 71.3%
share of the market as shown below.
Mission Figs show a slight advantage over Calimyrna
in popularity with the American consumer:
A. Sugar, which is a natural
part of the fig will sometimes migrate to the surface of
the fig, causing these crystals. This sugaring is often confused
with mold. This is not mold, but simply a naturally occurring
ingredient. Because of the extra sweetness caused by the
sugaring, many consumers actually prefer a sugared fig. For
consumers that dislike the appearance of sugar on the fig,
the sugar can easily be removed with the following process:
1) Place _ cup figs in a microwave safe dish
2) Sprinkle with one teaspoon of water.
3) Cover loosely and microwave on high for one minute.
A. California grows four (4)
varieties of figs:
| Variety |
% of Crop |
Usage |
Description |
| 1) Mission |
33% |
1) Whole figs in consumer packs
2) Paste
3) Fresh |
Dark purple color,
Sweet flavor |
| 2) Calimyrna |
20% |
1) Whole figs in consumer packs
2) Paste
3) Fresh |
Golden color, tender skin, sweet nutty flavor |
| 3) Adriatic |
43% |
1) Paste
2) Nuggets |
Smaller fruit with
Rich flavor |
| 4) Kadota |
4% |
1) Fresh
2) Export |
Smaller fruit with
Thick skin and
Fewer seeds |
A. All Valley Fig Grower Fig
packages are date stamped With a “Fresher if used by
date”, two years from the date of production. As with
any product, figs have maximum flavor and freshness immediately
after being packaged.
A. Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice
and Sun-Maid fig quality is second to none. All of our figs
are inspected by hand and undergo extensive inspection through
the U.S.D.A, the Dried Fruit Association and our own stringent
internal quality standards. Domestically grown figs are fortunate
not to have been affected by aflotoxins, as are some imported
figs.
A. In order to bring our consumers
the best possible product certain preservatives are used.
Fumigation is used to assure the absence of insects. After
the fig is treated with the fumigant, the fruit is washed.
Potassium Sorbate is added to prevent yeast (fermentation)
and mold growth in figs; this agent serves to prevent the
fermentation action which may occur in dried fruits. The
Calimyrna Fig is treated with sulfur dioxide which helps
the fruit maintain its sweet flavor and golden color. All
additives used are applied in minimal quantities and are
approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
A. Figs store well in cool
(less than 70 degrees), dry (less than 55% humidity) storage.
Figs can also be frozen with excellent results. Because of
their high sugar content, figs will not freeze solidly. |
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