Figs
Figs can adapt to moderate rainfall sites, producing sweet, plump fruits in open orchards or yard plantings. They appeal to local consumers seeking fresh figs, which remain rare in standard groceries.
Figs demand good drainage and benefit from pruning and netting to deter birds. Popular varieties on Hawaiʻi Island include Brown Turkey, Celeste, and Kadota, all of which can yield multiple crops under tropical conditions. Despite a short shelf life, locally grown figs are prized at farmers’ markets and in farm-to-table restaurants, often fetching premium prices. Orchards remain modest in scale, in part because figs require careful post-harvest handling. Nonetheless, they occupy a niche market, tapping into consumer desire for unique, fresh fruit offerings.