A SWOT Analysis of Organic Dried Fig Production in Iran

The aim of this study is to examine the current situation of Iranian organic fig growing and exportation. SWOT analysis was applied to the production, processing, storage, exports and structure of market competition and distribution aspects. The data were gathered using two methods, consisting of firstly of documentary studies and secondly a survey study. The research instrument used was a questionnaire. The results have been presented in a SWOT frame, and the results from this research are divided into four categories as follows. (1) strengths - such as the supply of an effective organic figs, the supply of an small size product, lowest raining climate and product with low moisture content; (2) weaknesses - such as lack of research and development of high-yielding varieties and domestication, lack of cooled and controlled atmosphere storages facilities in region, the absence of a national logo and standards for organic products, lack of fig processing facilities, lack of well equipped and specialized laboratories, lack of appropriate processing, storage and packaging system, and having no integrated, systemic approach in organic fruits growing; (3) opportunities - such as dry farming, lower cost of production, the geostrategic conditions of Iran (the fastest growing market of organic consumption in the world, region and Iran’s reputation as a dried fruits exporter); and (4) threats - such as drought and climate change, fluctuation of fig price, irrigation of orchards, bulk selling, merging low quality and un-organic figs from other regions, limited research and development centres in this case, lack of developmental, extension and advisory services.