Iraq Ranked Among the Top Consumers of Iranian Dates and Turkish Rice
Published on: May 7, 2024.
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Iraq Emerges as Top Market for Iranian Dates and Turkish Rice
Iraq has solidified its position as one of the largest markets for Iranian dates and Turkish rice, according to recent data from both countries. In 2023, Iran, renowned for its dates, exported approximately 389,500 tons of the fruit, worth $345.4 million. This marks a 4% increase in volume and a 6.7% rise in value compared to the previous year. Iraq, in turn, ranked seventh among the 82 countries consuming Iranian dates, importing 8,886 tons worth $9.44 million.
India continued to lead the way as the top importer of Iranian dates, importing 90,237 tons valued at $84.7 million. Pakistan followed closely behind, importing 91,199 tons worth $72.4 million, while Turkey imported 39,048 tons valued at $36.2 million.
On a different note, Iraq has emerged as the largest market for Turkish rice in the first two months of 2024, according to the Turkish Flour Federation. Rice exports to Iraq during this period experienced a remarkable increase, surpassing the figures from February 2023 by 20%. This growth is part of a larger trend, with Turkish rice exports seeing a notable 60% increase over the past decade.
Haluk Tezcan, the President of the Turkish Flour Federation, expects total rice exports to reach 4 million tons in 2024, with the expansion being attributed to well-established markets like Iraq, as well as emerging markets such as Sudan and Sri Lanka.
In the agricultural sector, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture recently announced that the country is self-sufficient in wheat and food supplies for at least six months. The ministry’s spokesperson further expressed optimism, projecting a wheat yield of over seven million tonnes in Iraq’s upcoming wheat season. With a population of over 43 million, Iraq requires between 4.5 million and 5.0 million tons of wheat annually.
Despite the challenges posed by diminishing water supplies in its rivers, the government of Baghdad is actively exploring strategies to enhance wheat self-sufficiency. One approach involves cultivating crops in desert areas using groundwater.
In conclusion, Iraq’s status as a key market for Iranian dates and Turkish rice is evident. The country’s demand for these agricultural products highlights its importance in the global market. With the ever-increasing rice exports to Iraq, Turkey anticipates a bright future in rice trade. Additionally, Iraq’s efforts to bolster its wheat production demonstrate a commitment to becoming more self-sufficient in this vital staple crop.
Source: [Shafaq News](https://shafaq.com)
