The fig has all the makings of a star…
18 September 2025
For the grower, cultivating it is an art; for the wholesaler, ordering it is a made-to-measure service; for the retailer, selling it means putting it on display in majestic style. As for the consumer, he’s either a fan… or a hater.
Demanding standards and the quest for perfection are the order of the day. Figs must not disappoint their fans. It’s a niche product eagerly awaited by its devotees for a unique taste experience!
What do we do with this fragile, capricious fig, which doesn’t wait and calls itself “Désirée”?
Stage 1: demanding sourcing
At Lagache, this is our strong point! This summer, we finally found the fig producer we were looking for. After a few exchanges, a test parcel, a test order and then two… it’s off, and we’re delighted!
Jean Belenguier, our fig producer, HVE and Global Gap certified.
The family business is based near Arles, in an ideal geographical location for figs.
“Above all, it’s human know-how that enables us to guarantee high-quality fruit. Knowing how to manage irrigation is key: not enough water, not sweet enough; too much water, they burst and are no longer marketable”, explains Jean.
They like the sun, but not too much; they need to be protected from wind, birds, pests… and they hate sudden changes in the weather. The list of vagaries is long!
As for harvesting, this is done by hand. “Sometimes, we go over the same spot up to 70 times to pick the fruit at the best time. They are then sorted according to size and placed one by one in a honeycombed box.
The family owns 13 hectares and plans to have 15 by 2026, with 320 fig trees per hectare.
Stage 2: between Lagache and his producer, “direct from the producer”.
Everything is done in dribs and drabs, and very quickly, because Madame la Figue doesn’t wait. Zero stock.
Early in the morning, Antoine, our fig salesman, calls Jean for a 1st volume estimate. Jean starts picking. At 11am, Antoine places the order; Jean adjusts, takes care of the packaging and off we go. The next morning, the figs were on the floor.
Stage 3: between Lagache, our retailers and consumers
“We know our customers and our customers know their consumers. We prepare the parcels according to their requirements”, explains Antoine.
The variety of the moment is Bourjassotte: round in shape and almost black in colour, it’s tart and sweet, with good staying power and a few floral notes. The Panaché variety will take over from the Bourjassotte and will cover the entire season until mid-November with exceptional products.
Whether eaten savoury, sweet, hot or cold, figs offer a unique taste experience that allows us to guarantee sustainable and responsible food happiness.
