Kurdistan's agricultural sales to Iraq reach 1.3 million tons in 2024

ERBIL,— In 2024, farmers in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq exported over one million tons of locally grown fruits and vegetables to the central and southern parts of the country, according to official statistics.

According to Hoshyar Jalil, an official from the Erbil Agricultural Directorate, approximately 41,000 trucks carrying around 750,000 tons of local produce were sent to federal Iraq in the past year. “These shipments were dispatched after fulfilling local demand,” Jalil told Rudaw TV on Tuesday.

The main agricultural products exported from the region include watermelon, melon, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, eggplant, and peppers. These crops are staples in the Kurdistan Region’s agriculture sector and are sold annually to areas under federal control.

Data from the Sulaimani Agricultural Directorate reported that around 375,000 tons of produce were exported from the Sulaimani province alone to central and southern Iraq during the first 10 months of 2024.

Meanwhile, Jihan Rasoul, spokesperson for the Duhok Agriculture Directorate, confirmed that Duhok province contributed 253,905 tons of local produce to the total export volume. These figures brought the Kurdistan Region’s overall agricultural exports for 2024 to nearly 1.4 million tons.

Summer was particularly significant for agriculture in the region, as it marked the peak harvesting period for many crops, contributing to the highest export numbers.

In a bid to diversify its economy, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has focused on leveraging the region’s rich agricultural potential.

The KRG aims to boost exports, reduce reliance on imports, and enhance the agricultural sector’s contribution to the region’s overall economic growth. Despite being dependent on neighboring Iran and Turkey for much of its agricultural imports, the Kurdistan Region has made strides in expanding its export capacity.

In December 2022, the region celebrated a milestone by exporting its famous pomegranates to the Gulf countries, marking the first significant non-oil export from the region.

This achievement highlights the KRG’s growing focus on diversifying its economy and positioning agricultural exports as a key economic pillar.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s ongoing efforts to expand its agricultural export sector play a crucial role in its broader economic strategy.

(With files from Rudaw)