Overview

The majority (95%) of U.S. fig production is processed and marketed as fig paste, fig concentrate, fig powder, fig nuggets, and diced and sliced figs. The natural flavor of figs can be preserved in fig jam, preserves and paste. To make fig concentrate, which replaces sucrose and corn syrup, the water is extracted from the figs. Chopped, diced and sliced figs are incorporated into food products. When dried, figs are added to cookies, bars and snacks. Besides high-quality figs for fresh consumption, a small number of figs are canned. The dried seeds in figs contain an edible oil that is 30 percent fatty acids and can be used as a lubricant. The natural humectants in figs make them a beneficial ingredient in such health and beauty products as soap, moisturizers, fragrance and candles.  June 2012 ...  Figs

Marketing

• California Fig Advisory Board - Located in Fresno, California, the Board is responsible for administering the state marketing order governing quality, production and promotion of California dried figs across all business segments. Their mission is to conduct marketing activities to promote the increased usage of California dried figs across all categories with the overall goal of improving demand and sales to provide a higher return to the industry stakeholders (producers).
• Marketing  Branch, California Department of Food and Agriculture - The Marketing Branch mission is to ensure the fair, practical and sound operation of agricultural marketing programs for the benefit of California agriculture. The branch provides administrative guidance and enforcement services to marketing programs that operate under the California Food and Agricultural Code. All branch operations are funded 100 percent by agricultural funds through reimbursement from marketing orders, agreements, councils and commissions. This site contains a link to a pdf published in 2010 that highlights the specifics of the Marketing Order for Dried Figs.
• United States Standards for Grades of Dried Figs, Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, 2001. 

Production

• Evaluating Quality Attributes of Four Fresh Fig (Ficus carica L.) Cultivars Harvested at Two Maturity Stages. By C.H. Crisosto, V. Bremer, L. Ferguson and G.M. Crisosto, HortScience 45(4):707–710, 2010 - The authors report on research related to quality attributes of four fresh fig cultivars, including consumer acceptance and antioxidant capacity of each fig variety.
• Figs – 2010 Fruit and Nut Planning Budgets, Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, 2010.
• Figs for Commercial and Home Production in Louisiana. Revised by J. Pyzner, Louisiana State University Ag Center, Louisiana State University, 2010 - Figs are commonly grown in all areas of Louisiana. All fig varieties discussed in this publication produce a main crop. Learn cultural practices and fertilization, disease and insect control, and how to handle and process your fruit. (online PDF Format Only).
• The Fig: Overview of an Ancient Fruit. By E. Stover, M. Aradhya, L. Ferguson and C.H. Crisosto, HortScience 42(5):1083-1087, 2007 - A comprehensive overview of the fig, including worldwide fig production, fig tree characteristics and propagation methods, pests and diseases, and future production and market outlooks.
• Florida Plant Disease Management Guide: Fig (Ficus carica). By A.J. Palmateer, T.L.B.Tarnowski and P.D. Roberts. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, rev 2010.
• How to Manage Pests – Figs, Integrated Pest Management guidelines, University of California, Davis - The UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines (PMGs) are authored primarily by UC scientists. Once published, they are updated annually as needed to keep pesticides and other management information current, and PMGs for each crop are thoroughly reviewed/revised at least every five years. This site contains links to fig diseases, such as Fig Endosepsis and Fig Mosiac, and to insect pests, such as Fig Mite, Fig Beetle and Fig Scale, as well as links to current research projects.

Business/Case Studies

• The Happy Berry, Six Mile, South Carolina – The Miller family purchased the 13-acre farm in 1979 and have blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes and figs available for pre-pick or you-pick customers. The family shares their “Environmental Management System” on this website, offering detailed descriptions of their operation, goals, production experiences and marketing avenues that are very insightful.
• Love Creek Orchards, Medina, Texas – The Adams family originally purchased this 2,000-acre ranch  in the Texas Hill Country with the intention of raising cattle. In the interest of land stewardship, the family instead planted 100 dwarf apple trees and became the pioneers of the Texas apple industry. The family has added many other fruit trees and plants, including figs, which are available as both you-pick and on-farm retail sales.
• Valley Fig Growers, Fresno, California - This cooperative began in 1959 and is now the largest fig handler in the United States. With 20 grower members, approximately half of the dried figs harvested in California go to market through Valley Fig Growers.

Links checked January 2013.