Türkiye's Competitive Power in the World Fig Market and Comparison With Selected European Union Countries

Abstract

Fig can be produced in a few countries in the world, especially T & uuml;rkiye, due to its climate and ecological demands. T & uuml;rkiye realizes 28.2% of the world's fig production amount and 48.8% of the world's fig export amount. Therefore, fig is a very important product for Turkish agriculture and economy. The aim of this research is to determine T & uuml;rkiye's competitiveness in international fig trade and to compare its competitiveness with Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal, which are important fig producers in the European Union. In the research, the competitiveness of the countries was calculated for the period 2004-2023 using the Export Share Market (ESM), Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA), and Trade Balance Index (TBI). In the research, T & uuml;rkiye's average ESM, RCA and TBI index results for 2004-2023 were determined as 51.02%, 60.58 and 0.95, respectively. These results show that T & uuml;rkiye has a strong comparative advantage in fig exports and is a net exporter in international fig trade. The average RCA results of EU members Spain, Greece, Italy, France and Portugal for 2004-2023 are 1.81, 14.45, 0.59, 0.67 and 0.37, respectively. According to these results, Spain and Greece have a comparative advantage in fig exports. According to the TBI index results, Greece and Spain are net exporters in international fig trade, while Italy, France and Portugal are net importers. In order for T & uuml;rkiye to increase and maintain its competitiveness in international fig markets, it is necessary to increase yield and quality in production, concentrate on high-value-added fig products (such as organic or processed figs) in exports, and diversify the market.