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Fresh figs are among the most perishable fruits there are — soft, thin-skinned and prone to bruising and splitting — so their cold chain is about speed, gentle handling and cold from the moment of harvest, almost always with airfreight. Dried figs are the opposite: shelf-stable, needing only dry, pest-protected storage. This guide covers both.
Quick answer: Fresh figs are extremely perishable: cooled rapidly to about 0°C at high humidity, handled very gently (they bruise and split), packed in shallow trays, and moved fast — almost always by airfreight, with only days of shelf life. Dried figs are shelf-stable, stored dry and cool, pest-protected, and shipped at ambient. Figs trade under HS 0804.20.
Table of Contents
Fresh figs: speed and gentleness
A ripe fig has soft flesh and delicate skin that bruises and splits at the lightest mishandling, and it deteriorates within days. So fresh figs are cooled rapidly after harvest to about 0°C at high humidity, handled with great care, packed in single layers, and moved fast — almost always by air for premium markets. The cold chain must hold from harvest to shelf.
| Parameter | Fresh figs | Dried figs |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | ~0°C, high humidity | Dry, cool, ambient |
| Shelf life | Days (very perishable) | Long (shelf-stable) |
| Key risk | Bruising, splitting, decay | Moisture, mould, insects |
| Shipping | Airfreight | Ambient (sea/air) |
Dried figs: dry and pest-protected
Dried figs keep for a long time if held dry and cool at low humidity, away from moisture that causes mould and aflatoxin risk, and protected from insects. They ship at ambient temperature.
Packaging formats
- Fresh: shallow single-layer trays or punnets, cushioned, for airfreight.
- Dried: retail packs and bulk cartons, moisture-protected.
Fresh figs are graded for size, colour and intact skin; dried figs by size and moisture.
Quality preservation checklist
- Cool fresh figs rapidly to ~0°C; handle very gently; single-layer pack.
- Airfreight fresh figs — days of shelf life only.
- Store dried figs dry, cool and pest-protected.
- Control dried-fig moisture to prevent mould and aflatoxin.
Frequently asked questions
How perishable are fresh figs?
Extremely – only days of shelf life, which is why they are airfreighted.
At what temperature are fresh figs stored?
Cooled rapidly to about 0 degrees C at high humidity.
How are fresh figs packed?
In shallow single-layer trays or punnets, cushioned to prevent bruising.
How are dried figs stored and shipped?
Dry, cool and pest-protected, shipped at ambient temperature.
Why control moisture in dried figs?
To prevent mould and reduce aflatoxin risk.
How to cite this page
PEI Trade. “Egyptian Figs Packaging & Cold Chain.” peitrade.com, 2026. https://peitrade.com/egyptian-figs-packaging-cold-chain/
Sources
- Fig post-harvest science — extreme perishability, rapid cooling, gentle handling, airfreight.
- Industry guidance — dried-fig moisture, pest and aflatoxin control; packing formats.
This page is part of our Egyptian Figs Export Guide hub.
Ship Egyptian figs that arrive in perfect condition with PEI Trade. Rapid cooling, gentle single-layer packing and airfreight for fresh figs, plus dry, pest-protected, moisture-controlled storage for dried. Contact: sales@peitrade.com · WhatsApp +20 109 911 1918 · www.peitrade.com