Iraq imported 90,000 tons of potatoes in 2025

Iraq imported approximately 90,000 tons of potatoes valued at US$52.4 million in 2025, according to agricultural market data from IndexBox. Iran, Egypt, and Turkey were the main suppliers.

Economic researcher Ali Karim Idheeb said trade volumes for vegetable crops indicate that domestic supply remains exposed to seasonal fluctuations, regional price movements, and supply disruptions. Iraqi wholesale prices are also influenced by freight logistics, weather-related impacts on yields in supplying countries, and input costs in origin markets.

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Tomato imports show how trade volumes can change with domestic harvests and import policy. Iraq imported around 350,000 tons of fresh tomatoes in 2021, placing it among the world’s leading importers alongside Russia and Pakistan. By 2023, imports had fallen 94.9 per cent to approximately 13,000 tons, following increased seasonal domestic harvests and temporary import bans. Processed tomato pastes and sauces continue to enter through separate import channels.

Idheeb said investment in post-harvest cold storage, yield optimization, and certified seed propagation could reduce dependence on imported potatoes. He also noted that border restrictions alone are insufficient to support domestic agriculture without investment in supply-chain infrastructure.

Refrigerated storage networks could absorb seasonal harvest surpluses and extend availability into off-season periods. Idheeb also identified drip irrigation modernization and certified seed technologies as measures to increase yields and reduce production costs. Predictable trade schedules, he said, could allow growers to plan production while limiting sudden changes in consumer prices.