Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Iraq grew from 15 917 t in 2018 to 17 810 t in 2023. This expansion occurred despite a notable contraction in 2020, after which the market recovered and continued to grow, surpassing its pre-2020 level.

The market's growth was primarily supported by a sustained increase in imports, which more than doubled from 2 916 t to 6 249 t over the period. Domestic production, after a decline in 2020, stabilized at approximately 11 500 t and did not contribute significantly to the overall market expansion.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

In 2019, Iraq produced 13 280 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, marking the highest output during the period. However, production fell to 11 167 tonnes in 2020, representing a 15.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017–2020 timeframe, production declined by 15.1%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 5.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when output rose by 2.1%.

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

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Iraq

Exports in kind, t

Exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats from Iraq experienced notable fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. Shipments reached their lowest point in 2018, then surged to a peak in 2017, with a 16-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports amounted to just 10 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 93.6% compared to 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia dominated Iraq's exports in volume, accounting for 76.7% of total shipments. The remaining 23.3% was distributed among various smaller destinations.

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, K $ US

The value of Iraq's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports showed volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.7-fold increase between these years. In 2020, export value stood at 57 thousand US dollars, down 18.3% from the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands and Malaysia together accounted for 81.4% of Iraq's total export value for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats. Other destinations made up the remaining share, with each contributing individually smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Iraq

Imports in kind, t

Iraq's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 3 109 tonnes—a 5.5% increase from 2019. However, over the full 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 7.1%, averaging an annual decline of 2.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 916 tonnes, which represented a 12.9% drop from the previous year, the largest decline during this timeframe.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Iran were the primary suppliers of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats to Iraq in terms of volume. Denmark contributed 21.8% of imports, the Netherlands 21.7%, and Iran 12.5%, together making up 56.0% of total import volume.

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, K $ US

After two years of decline, Iraq's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats increased in value in 2020, totaling 18 992 thousand US dollars—a slight rise of 0.6% from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import value fell by 6.5%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 2.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18 872 thousand US dollars, marking a 6.6% decline from the previous year, which was the steepest drop in the period.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Iran remained the key sources for Iraq's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms. Denmark accounted for 26.4% of import value, the Netherlands for 23.2%, and Iran for 9.7%, collectively representing 59.3% of total import flows.

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

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