Chicken meat and offal market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Iraqi parliament enacted and extended a ban on imports of poultry and related products to protect domestic producers and prevent market flooding. This measure spurred a rise in local chicken meat and offal production from 109 thousand tons in 2018 to 157 thousand tons in 2020, while imports saw a slight reduction. Over this period, the total market volume expanded steadily, reaching 603 thousand tons by 2020.

The market experienced significant volatility after 2020. In 2021, market volume contracted sharply to 469 thousand tons, with both production and imports declining. A strong recovery followed in 2022, and by 2023 the market had grown to 712 thousand tons. This expansion was partly fueled by increasing consumer demand for locally produced chicken due to its lower price compared to other meats, which boosted consumption. Concurrently, poultry farmers faced pressures from rising feed costs, impacting production expenses.

By 2024, despite government plans to support the poultry sector and the gradual entry of new projects aimed at increasing local output, Iraq remained a major importer, bringing in around 497 thousand tons of chicken meat, primarily from Brazil. High domestic demand and insufficient local production continued to shape market dynamics, with authorities implementing measures to curb meat price inflation driven by elevated feed costs.

Production chicken meat and offal in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Iraq's chicken meat and offal production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 156.5 thousand tons, marking a moderate 5.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 63.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 17.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, Iraq's chicken meat and offal production in value terms saw a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 248.3 million US dollars, remaining stable compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 52.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 248.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iraq in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports chicken meat and offal from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 7.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Iraq's chicken meat and offal exports totaled 2.1 thousand tons, up 52.2% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 455.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the primary destination for Iraq's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms, consistently accounting for 96.3% of total exports.

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

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 7-fold difference between the low in 2017 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Iraq's chicken meat and offal exports amounted to 3.4 million US dollars, representing a sharp 43.9% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 11.5%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 449.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, Iraq's chicken meat and offal exports in value terms were almost entirely directed to Turkey, which held a 97.4% share of 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 chicken meat and offal to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

Iraq's chicken meat and offal imports have decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 448.2 thousand tons, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 8.6%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (56.4% of imports in volume), Brazil (21.8%), and the United States (11.3%) were the top suppliers of chicken meat and offal to Iraq, together making up 89.5% of total 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

In 2020, Iraq's chicken meat and offal imports totaled 499.9 million US dollars, a 20.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 26.7%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 3.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Brazil dominated Iraq's chicken meat and offal imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.6% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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