Milk and cream market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

In the initial years, the Iraqi milk and cream market was shaped by government measures aimed at protecting local production. The 2018 ban on importing several dairy products, including non-concentrated milk, was implemented to encourage domestic manufacturers, coinciding with stable tariff policies that helped control prices. However, by 2019, this led to a sharp drop in imports to 86.6 thousand tons, which was not fully offset by the increase in domestic output, causing the total market volume to decline to 534.9 thousand tons. The trend reversed in 2020 when the launch of strategic projects with UN agencies to improve supplies and lower prices supported a recovery in market volume to 550.3 thousand tons.

Subsequent years saw a continuation of import restrictions coupled with efforts to boost domestic demand. In 2021, additional bans on certain imported dairy products were reinforced by increased government subsidies for basic food items, including non-concentrated milk, which raised consumers’ purchasing power and stimulated local demand. This helped drive the market to a peak of 574.6 thousand tons. The extension of the import ban to a wider range of products in 2022, together with awareness campaigns promoting local milk quality, further constrained imports and contributed to a market contraction to 554.3 thousand tons, despite steady growth in domestic production.

By 2023, the market stabilized at around 553.0 thousand tons. This period was marked by heightened state investments in new processing plants, designed to expand national production capacity. At the same time, stricter traceability and labeling requirements for milk products enhanced market transparency and product quality, strengthening consumer confidence. In 2024, these directions were reinforced through new projects supporting cattle breeding and additional investments in production lines, all aimed at reducing import reliance and boosting local output.

Production milk and cream in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Iraq's milk and cream production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 448.3 thousand tons, marking a 2.0% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, output had fallen to 428.5 thousand tons, representing a moderate 4.4% decrease compared to 2019.

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

Exports milk and cream from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

Iraq's milk and cream exports have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 0.0 thousand tons, showing a sharp 99.6% rise from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, exports surged by 1 187 900%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 2 181.8%.

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 milk and cream exports in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of the 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, M $ US

Iraq's milk and cream exports in value terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 0.0 million US dollars, reflecting an abrupt 46.8% jump from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, exports grew by 93 009.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 876.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey dominated Iraq's milk and cream exports in value terms, consistently making up 99.9% of the 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 milk and cream to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Iraq's milk and cream imports in volume terms rebounded. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 86.6 thousand tons, with the largest drop of 34.2% recorded that year. By 2020, imports had risen to {value_last_year} thousand tons, showing a strong 40.6% increase compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia—were central to Iraq's milk and cream imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 88.0% of total flows.

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

After two years of decline, Iraq's milk and cream imports in value terms increased. In 2019, imports reached their minimum at 76.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 63.1% occurring that year. By 2020, imports had climbed to 100.9 million US dollars, indicating an abrupt 32.5% rise from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 58.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Iran, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates—were central to Iraq's milk and cream imports in value terms, together representing 85.9% of total flows.

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

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