The Iraqi Dates Festival and Exhibition opened today at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds, highlighting Iraq’s growing prominence as a global producer and exporter of dates.
The three-day event, jointly organized by the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, the Iraqi Federation of Chambers of Commerce, aims to enhance the economic value of one of Iraq’s most culturally significant crops.
Hussein Al-Wasiti, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Agricultural Affairs, stated that the number of palm trees in Iraq has increased dramatically from 7 million in 2003 to more than 22 million today. As a result, Iraq’s date exports have surpassed 500,000 tons, reaching markets in India, East Asia, Morocco, and Europe.
According to Mehdi Seher Al-Jubouri, Administrative Undersecretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, annual production rose from 639,000 tons in 2020 to about 700,000 tons in 2024, accounting for 7.2% of global date production.
He noted that the sector generated more than half a trillion Iraqi Dinars in revenue last year. Al-Jubouri added that government measures such as distributing free pesticides, enforcing agricultural quarantine for tissue-culture palm seedlings, and banning foreign date imports have been crucial in protecting and expanding domestic production.
This year’s festival focuses on increasing export profitability and improving value addition. Zahraa Watout, Director of National Projects at the ITC, highlighted that around 70% of Iraqi date exports currently go to regional markets at relatively low prices.
She emphasized that export value could grow by up to 40% if Iraq invests in modern packaging, branding, and advanced marketing techniques.
Star Al-Jabri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, affirmed that the government is determined to transform dates into a major non-oil export.
Through the Export Support Fund, Iraq is helping producers participate in global exhibitions and open new markets, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to boosting the competitiveness and global recognition of Iraqi dates.
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