Apples, pears and quinces market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

The Iraqi market for apples, pears and quinces expanded significantly in 2019, with volume rising by 60% to 562 thousand tons. This surge was supported by agricultural research centers under the Ministry of Agriculture, which helped boost domestic production by over 50% to 93.4 thousand tons. At the same time, imports jumped to 468.6 thousand tons, reflecting strong demand under the country's mixed pricing policy that balanced market and state controls. However, in 2020 the market contracted by 9% to 513 thousand tons as local processing factories were idled by wartime destruction, disrupting supply chains and reducing import volumes.

Market volume recovered in 2021, climbing 15% to 587 thousand tons despite delays in restarting idled state-owned factories, as importers filled the gap with increased shipments. The following year, rising food prices across Iraq dampened consumption, causing the market to shrink by 12% to 514.5 thousand tons. By 2023, the market stabilized around 505.5 thousand tons amid the reopening of new food processing plants and a ban on imports of certain food items aimed at protecting local producers.

Production apples, pears and quinces in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

World map of production of apples, pears and quinces, 2017-2020

Iraq's production of apples, pears, and quinces has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 96 800 tons of these fruits, marking a 3.6% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 69.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iraq in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports apples, pears and quinces from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Iraq's cross-border shipments of apples, pears, and quinces amounted to 0.0 thousand tons, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 70.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 19.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Iraq in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was consistently the primary and nearly exclusive destination for Iraq's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind, accounting for 100.0% of the total.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Iraq in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of apples, pears, and quinces exported from Iraq reached 0.0 million US dollars, remaining largely unchanged from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 152.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 36.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Iraq in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey effectively held a monopoly on Iraq's exports of apples, pears, and quinces in value terms, capturing 100.0% of the total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Iraq in value, 2017-2020

Imports apples, pears and quinces to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Iraq's imports of apples, pears, and quinces totaled 416.1 thousand tons, an 11.2% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 291.7 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 468.6 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 24.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 60.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Iraq in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Iran and Turkey were the main sources for Iraq's imports of apples, pears, and quinces in kind, together accounting for 95.5% of total flows, with other markets making up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Iraq in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Iraq imported approximately 132.8 million US dollars worth of apples, pears, and quinces, representing a significant decline of 24.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 119.4 million US dollars, and the highest was in 2019 at 175.0 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 46.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Iraq in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq's import structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on Iran, which held a 76.8% share of total flows, while other partners accounted for the rest.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Iraq in value, 2017-2020