* California ranks first in the nation in fig production, accounting for nearly 100% of all figs produced nationally (1). California ranks second, after Turkey, in the worldwide production of figs (2).
* In 1998, 16,276 acres produced 1.05 tons of dried figs per acre at a price of $586 per ton (9).
* The value of California’s fig crop in 1998 was $9,662,554 (9).
* In 1998, the variety Calimyrna was produced on approximately 45% of the acreage. The varieties Adriatic, Mission and Kadota were produced on 25%, 23% and 7% of the acreage, respectively (9).
Wow! I can’t imagine that many figs, and that’s speaking as someone who lives in an area where almost everyone has a fig or two in their yard.
Wonder why Cali went with the varieties that had to be pollinated versus the ones that don’t? Taste, shipping ability, size...?