Dates market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

The Iraqi dates market volume expanded significantly in 2020, reaching 542.5 thousand tons. This growth was driven by increased production, supported by the earlier expansion of palm cultivation using tissue culture techniques and ongoing government agricultural support including loans to farmers.

Market volume then contracted in 2021 to 440.1 thousand tons as a greater focus on processing and packaging for added value boosted export volumes, reducing domestic availability. The opening of border crossings for dates exports in 2022 facilitated external trade, contributing to market stabilization that year with volume at 438.5 thousand tons.

By 2023, the market volume fell further to 318.3 thousand tons. This decline coincided with criticism of raw-date export practices that undervalue Iraqi produce and reflected long-term challenges such as the impact of past conflicts and environmental stressors on palm groves. State-owned entities like the Iraqi Dates Trading Company and the Iraqi Dates Authority have organized the market, while new five-year plans were announced to increase palm tree numbers to 30 million through advanced cultivation methods.

Production dates in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer of dates.

Top producers of dates, 2017-2020

World map of production of dates, 2017-2020

In 2020, Iraq produced 735.4 thousand tons of dates, marking a 15.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 18.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.9%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.1%.

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

Exports dates from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

Date exports from Iraq declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 213.6 thousand tons, showing a modest decrease of 9.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 16.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 5.8%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 268.4 thousand tons, with the largest increase that year at 5.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 12.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for Iraq's date exports in volume terms, together accounting for 92.2% of total shipments, while other markets made up the remainder.

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 showed an unstable trend during this period. Export values peaked in 2019 and then dropped to their lowest point in 2020, representing a fourfold shift. In 2020, Iraq's date exports totaled 94.2 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp decline of 74.7% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 372.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 235.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq's date exports in value terms were primarily directed toward the United Arab Emirates and India, which together accounted for 92.8% of total flows, while other destinations played a minor role.

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

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

Imports dates to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their highest point in 2018 and fell to their lowest in 2019, a fluctuation of 3.2 times. In 2020, Iraq imported 20.7 thousand tons of dates, which is 212.6% higher than the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 6.6 thousand tons, while the maximum was in 2018 at 21.2 thousand tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports dropped by 68.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran remained the key source for dates imported into Iraq, accounting for 84.7% of total imports in volume terms, with other countries contributing much less.

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 market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The highest import value was noted in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.3 times. In 2020, Iraq's date imports from abroad stood at 20.6 million US dollars, corresponding to a steep increase of 142.2% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8.5 million US dollars, and the maximum in 2018 at 28.1 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, when imports fell by 69.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iran remained the main source for dates imported into Iraq in value terms, taking 85.0% of total imports, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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

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