Honey market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

The honey market in Iraq, measured by total volume, declined from 1 904 т in 2018 to 1 529 т in 2021. This contraction was primarily driven by security disruptions in key beekeeping regions like Diyala, where ISIS control severely hampered local production, and by the spread of untreated bee diseases due to a lack of government support for medicines and vaccines. These factors reduced domestic output and contributed to a parallel drop in imports, which form the bulk of the market.

From 2020, government measures to reduce apiary registration fees and launch free pest control campaigns using regional plant extracts began to stabilize the production base. The registration of over 1 000 apiaries by 2022 reflected an expansion of local capacity, which, alongside continued consumer preference for high‑quality honey and rising prices, supported a market rebound. Imports surged again in 2022, pushing total volume to 1 822 т.

By 2023, the market volume held steady at 1 830 т. The earlier simplification of licensing procedures helped maintain supply, while persistent issues with honey adulteration through mixing with sugar solutions continued to shape the market structure. Domestic production remained a small share, with the market dominated by competitive imported honey, often preferred for its lower price.

Production honey in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Honey production in Iraq remained broadly stable in 2020, totaling 100.0 t, which was similar to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 2.7%, averaging an annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 100.0 t, while the highest was in 2018 at 103.4 t. The largest year-over-year decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.3% drop, whereas the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 0.6% rise.

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

Exports honey from Iraq

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Iraq exported 0.0 t of honey, representing a significant decrease of 84.6% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was dominated by Canada and Indonesia, which together accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

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

Honey exports from Iraq in 2020 amounted to 0.1 K $ US, showing a notable decrease of 21.9% over the past year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada and Indonesia were the primary contributors to export value, jointly representing 100.0% 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 honey to Iraq

Imports in kind, t

Honey import volumes in Iraq declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 432 t, reflecting a solid decrease of 12.1% year-over-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 801 t, with the largest increase that year at 26.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, the largest suppliers of honey to Iraq in kind were Iran (48.6% of imports), Germany (9.6% of imports), and Spain (9.4% of imports), together forming 67.6% 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, K $ US

Iraq's honey imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 7 079 K $ US, marking a loss of 15.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10 088 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 65.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of honey to Iraq in value terms were Iran (51.9% of imports), Germany (16.1% of imports), and Spain (9.9% of imports), jointly accounting for 77.9% of total imports.

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

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