Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Iraq remained around 3.8 million tons from 2018 to 2020, despite climatic pressures. In 2018, a severe shortage of irrigation water reduced the wheat harvest, increasing reliance on imports to maintain supply. By 2019, a gradual recovery in agricultural output and a government wheat purchase program boosted domestic flour production to 2.3 million tons, offsetting lower imports. The following year, a record wheat crop created a surplus that authorities channeled to the domestic market through private mills, sustaining the market volume at 3.8 million tons.

Market volume grew to 3.9 million tons in 2021, partly supported by the state food card program which covered 60% of consumers and bolstered demand. This trend reversed sharply in 2022 when drought curtailed wheat production, and the Russia‑Ukraine war increased global wheat prices and import costs, causing the market to contract to 3.2 million tons.

A rebound in wheat production in 2023 lifted flour output to 2.8 million tons and raised the market volume to 4.0 million tons. The launch of the 'Agrodive' National Food Industry Complex contributed additional volumes of semolina and flour through a network of 250 sales points. In 2024, a new wheat surplus emerged, directed to private mills for processing, albeit with substantial government financial outlays.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Iraq's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 448 K t, marking a 4.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production surged by 70.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 19.4%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility over this period. In 2019, shipments hit their lowest point at 0.2 K t, with a sharp decline of 24.0% that year. By 2020, exports rebounded dramatically to 10 K t, a staggering 4 215.0% increase from 2019. Overall, from the low in 2019 to the high in 2020, export volumes varied by a factor of 43.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Lebanon was the primary destination for Iraq's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports, accounting for 90.2% of the total volume shipped.

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 value of Iraq's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 3.1 M $ US, up by 2 611.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 3 305.5%, averaging an annual increase of 224.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, Lebanon and Turkey dominated Iraq's wheat and meslin flour and cereals exports in value terms, together representing 99.9% of the total export 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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

Iraq's imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals have decreased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 375 K t, down by 4.5% from the year before. Over the 2017–2020 period, import volume fell by 35.1%, with an average annual decline of 13.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the main source of Iraq's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports, supplying 90.6% of the total 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

The value of Iraq's wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 455.7 M $ US, a decrease of 5.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value dropped by 31.4%, averaging an annual reduction of 11.8%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, Iraq's import market in value terms was highly concentrated, with Turkey alone responsible for 92.1% of all import flows.

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

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