Agricultural value chain study in Iraq – Dates, grapes, tomatoes and wheat

The agriculture sector in Iraq faces challenges in its wheat, tomato, and date value chains. While the government supports domestic production, imported wheat flour remains popular due to its quality, hindering local farmers. Tomato production suffers from rising costs and post-harvest losses, requiring support for Good Agricultural Practices. Date production has declined due to conflicts and neglect, with challenges including lack of modern technology and water availability. To address these issues, a strategic plan involving all stakeholders is necessary, focusing on improving production practices, enhancing processing facilities, and strengthening value chains.

Key Insights

• Imported wheat flour remains popular in Iraq due to its higher quality, making it difficult for local farmers to compete.
• Tomato production faces challenges such as rising costs, post-harvest losses, and lack of input quality control.
• Date production has decreased due to conflicts, neglect, and lack of modern technology, with water scarcity being a significant issue.
• Improving production practices, enhancing processing facilities, and promoting market-oriented approaches are crucial for the revitalization and sustainable development of Iraq’s agriculture sector.
• Collaboration between stakeholders, access to finance, and international assistance are essential for the sector’s growth and economic diversification.

Source: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations