Wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Iraq, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The wheat bran, sharps and residues market in Iraq contracted from 432.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 291.1 thousand tons in 2020, primarily due to a sharp decline in imports. This drop was driven by strong state control over wheat imports and milling operations, which limited foreign supplies. In 2018, the Ministry of Industry had approved nine mills to import 735 000 tons of wheat, supporting domestic bran production, but security issues in several governorates simultaneously constrained wheat availability. By 2019 and 2020, government regulation of wheat deliveries and flour off-take, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of global supply chains and an oil-price collapse that reduced state revenues, further restricted import volumes, pushing bran imports down to just 3.1 thousand tons in 2020.

Market volume rebounded to 399.1 thousand tons in 2021 and peaked at 421.4 thousand tons in 2022, before falling to 347.2 thousand tons in 2023. The recovery was fueled by increased wheat imports and state-managed wheat procurement, including the Grain Board of Iraq’s set purchasing prices for wheat grain in 2020, which helped stabilize production costs. In 2022, ongoing global supply chain disruptions and regional conflicts led to a surge in bran imports to 195.6 thousand tons, offsetting a temporary dip in domestic production. However, in 2023, imports collapsed again to 23.4 thousand tons, likely influenced by volatile oil prices affecting the broader economy, even as domestic bran output rose to 323.8 thousand tons.

Throughout the period, the market remained heavily influenced by state-owned companies and agricultural policies. The government’s distribution of subsidized drought-resistant wheat seeds supported domestic wheat and bran production, while its control over silo receipts and milling fees directly shaped bran supply. No major new players or production facilities entered the bran sector, leaving the market structure dominated by existing state-influenced operations.

Production wheat bran, sharps and residues in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat bran, sharps and residues, 2017-2020

Iraq's production of wheat bran, sharps, and residues has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 288.0 thousand tons, marking a 4.7% increase from 2019. 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 bran, sharps and residues from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was nearly the sole buyer of wheat bran, sharps, and residues from Iraq, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

During 2017–2020, the value of Iraq's exports of wheat bran, sharps, and residues was almost entirely linked to Turkey, with its share reaching 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 wheat bran, sharps and residues to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market. Imports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 3.1 thousand tons, down 91.0% from the previous year. In contrast, the peak was in 2018 at 203.1 thousand tons, representing a 134.0% increase from 2017. Overall, imports varied by 67 times between these years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, wheat bran, sharps, and residues imported into Iraq came primarily from Turkey, which made up 92.3% of total imports in kind.

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

The market displayed an unstable pattern over this period. Imports reached their lowest in 2020 at 537 thousand US dollars, a drop of 89.5% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 28 610 thousand US dollars, which was a 234.0% jump from 2017. This resulted in a 53-fold difference between the peak and trough.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey dominated Iraq's imports in value terms, holding an 86.4% share of total flows, while other sources remained relatively minor.

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

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