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Iraq

Food consumption in Iraq is increasing due to population growth. In 2023, the population reached approximately 44 million, with an annual growth rate of around 2.3%. There is also strong demand for food in the Kurdistan Region, which has around 6.5 million inhabitants. The growing middle class and rising purchasing power are driving higher spending on food and beverages.

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Demand is further driven by the growing tourism sector. Particularly in cities like Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok, tourism development is creating new opportunities for businesses in the food and beverage industry. Investments in religious and nature-based tourism are expected to further boost market growth.

 

Iraq’s National Food Security Strategy (2022–2026) aims to increase domestic production of staple foods such as wheat, barley, rice, and dates. The government of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is also ramping up investments in agricultural infrastructure to strengthen food security. The number of farms in the region has grown significantly, and a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains are now produced locally. Well-known organic farms such as Halabja Organic Farm and the Barzan Agricultural Project make use of modern irrigation systems and innovative agricultural technologies.

 

Key investments and projects in the agricultural sector

 

The Iraqi and Kurdish governments have launched several large-scale initiatives to promote agriculture and enhance food security:

Wheat and Grain Production

Iraq aims to increase domestic wheat production to reduce its dependence on imports. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is focusing on sustainable farming methods to boost productivity.

Irrigation and Water Management

Advanced systems such as drip irrigation and aquaponics are being introduced to optimize water usage.

Expansion of Greenhouses

Investments in modern high-tech greenhouses are increasing yields in fruit and vegetable cultivation.

Expansion of Poultry and Dairy Production

Domestic production of poultry and dairy products is being promoted to meet growing demand.

Key Stakeholders:

Ministry of Agriculture - Iraq
Website: https://moagr.gov.iq		Manages public and private agriculture in Iraq.
Kurdistan Board of Investment (BOI)
Website: https://invest.gov.krd		Facilitates foreign investment in agriculture and agribusiness in Kurdistan.
Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC)
Website: https://investpromo.gov.iq		Provides information on agricultural investment opportunities and public-private partnership (PPP) projects.