Cheese and curd market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cheese and curd market in Iraq saw substantial growth, with volume expanding from 135.9 thousand tons to 160.5 thousand tons. This rise was primarily supported by increasing imports, which reached 129.4 thousand tons in 2020, compensating for a contraction in domestic production.

After plateauing in 2021, market volume began a gradual decline, falling to 151.3 thousand tons by 2023. In March 2022, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior launched a campaign to monitor food prices and limit market manipulation, which contributed to a period of stabilization and a modest reduction in total volume that year.

At the start of 2024, prices for several cheese brands, including Batreeq, Avanti, and Khashala, were increased. Import data for the year indicates a recovery to 130.1 thousand tons, pointing to continued market activity.

Production cheese and curd in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

World map of production of cheese and curd, 2017-2020

Cheese and curd production in Iraq declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, production stood at 35,500 tonnes, but by 2020 it had dropped to 31,205 tonnes, marking a 12.1% decrease. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.5%, with an average annual decline of 4.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 36,345 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.0%.

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

Exports cheese and curd from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for cheese and curd from Iraq showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 0.0 thousand tonnes, but rebounded sharply in 2020 to 0.1 thousand tonnes, representing a 463.0% increase. The peak was recorded earlier in 2018 at 0.1 thousand tonnes. The difference between the highest and lowest points was 6.4 times, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 84.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the dominant buyer of Iraqi cheese and curd, accounting for 93.0% of total exports by volume.

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

Export values exhibited considerable volatility during these years. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 0.1 million US dollars, but surged to 0.5 million US dollars in 2020, a dramatic 406.1% year-over-year increase. The peak occurred in 2020, showing a 5.1-fold difference from the 2019 trough. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 78.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey remained the primary destination for Iraqi cheese and curd exports in value terms, absorbing 92.8% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports cheese and curd to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of cheese and curd into Iraq increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 129.4 thousand tonnes, up 19.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 99.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 5.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran was the leading source of cheese and curd imports into Iraq by volume, accounting for 54.6% of total imports. Turkey followed with 12.6%, and Saudi Arabia with 9.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 76.4% of Iraq's cheese and curd imports.

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

The value of cheese and curd imports into Iraq declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 359.6 million US dollars, down 4.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import values decreased by 20.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 377.4 million US dollars, which saw a modest increase of 1.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Iran was the top contributor to Iraq's cheese and curd import value at 40.7%, followed by Turkey at 14.9%, and Saudi Arabia at 10.2%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.8% of total import expenditure.

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

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