Treenuts market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

The Iraqi treenuts market expanded consistently from 2018 to 2022, with total volume rising from 44.3 thousand tons to 73.0 thousand tons. This growth was primarily fueled by imports, which increased from 39.7 thousand tons to 67.4 thousand tons, while domestic production remained around 5 thousand tons annually.

In 2023, market volume surged by 33% to 97.1 thousand tons. This jump was driven by growing health awareness among Iraqi consumers, who increasingly valued nuts for their vitamins, proteins, and antioxidants, boosting demand. Imports rose to 93.2 thousand tons, offsetting a drop in local output to 3.9 thousand tons.

Imports continued to climb in 2024, reaching 100.1 thousand tons, reflecting shifts in consumer preferences such as the popularity of nut-based snacks and support for ethically sourced brands. Regulatory steps to improve the investment climate also supported market stability.

Production treenuts in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of treenuts, 2017-2020

World map of production of treenuts, 2017-2020

Iraq's treenuts production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 5 778 tonnes, but then fell by 13.5% to 4 997 tonnes in 2020. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production jumped by 44.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 52.9%, representing an average annual growth rate of 15.2%.

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

Exports treenuts from Iraq

Exports in kind, t

Iraq's treenuts exports showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports peaked at 76 tonnes, but then plummeted by 87.3% to just 10 tonnes in 2020. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 199.9%. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2020 was 7.8 times, highlighting the market's instability.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the top destination for Iraq's treenuts exports in volume terms, accounting for 48.6% of the total. Ukraine followed with 14.0%, and Uzbekistan with 13.4%. Together, these three countries represented 75.9% of Iraq's total treenuts 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

Iraq's treenuts exports in value terms experienced notable fluctuations. In 2017, exports reached their highest point, but by 2020, they had dropped to 0.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 70.0% compared to the previous year. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 70.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 218.8%. The gap between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2020 was 3.5 times.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Turkey led as the primary destination for Iraq's treenuts exports, making up 46.0% of the total. Canada was second with 22.1%, and Uzbekistan third with 14.0%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 82.1% of Iraq's total treenuts export value.

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

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

Imports treenuts to Iraq

Imports in kind, t

Iraq's treenuts imports in volume terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 55 996 tonnes, up 15.2% from 2019. The lowest point was in 2018 at 39 655 tonnes, which saw a decline of 9.5% that year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 22.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 27.8%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the main supplier of treenuts to Iraq in volume terms, contributing 30.7% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates followed with 20.1%, and Iran with 18.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.7% of Iraq's treenuts imports by volume.

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

Iraq's treenuts imports in value terms rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 273.1 million US dollars, marking a solid increase of 19.0% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 188.6 million US dollars, which experienced a decline of 17.5% that year. The largest annual increase was in 2019 at 21.7%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 19.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates were the three principal markets supplying treenuts to Iraq in value terms, together representing 82.5% 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