Agro Pack 2024 in Erbil is on track to surpass all previous editions and become the largest agrofood event in Iraq to date as more than 260 exhibitors are expected for the 2024 event.

Exhibitors from 16 countries have already registered, namely from Algeria, Armenia, Austria, China, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

The overwhelming demand has prompted the organisers, So Fuar and fairtrade, to use both halls of the Erbil International Fairground to offer attendees a comprehensive and intensive experience.

This expansion allows for a clearly defined thematic structure and reflects the commitment to delivering an unparalleled event that meets the diverse needs of exhibitors and visitors alike.

So here is the structure of the 7th edition in 2024:

Hall 1:

• Food Iraq: A platform for showcasing and trading finished food & beverage products.
• Agro Iraq: Showcasing agriculture, crop production, livestock breeding, and poultry.

Hall 2:

• Agro Pack Iraq: Focusing on technology and materials for food and beverage processing, as well as ingredients.
• Furthermore, the concurrent 4th Plast Iraq complements the value chain, spotlighting plastic raw materials, machinery, equipment for plastics processing, printing, and packaging.

• Between 2015 and 2023, Iraq’s imports of food and packaging technology increased at an annual growth rate of 15.4%, from €76 million to €239 million, making Iraq the third largest Arab importing country in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia and the UAE (VDMA). These technology imports enable Iraq to develop and diversify its own production, increase exports, and substitute imports of consumables.
• Food imports also surged between 2017 and 2022, with an annual growth rate of 12.5%, rising from US$ 11.245 billion to US$ 20.3 billion (WTO). This solidifies Iraq's position as the third largest food importer in the Arab Middle East, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

The success story of Agro Pack & Plast Iraq continued also with the 2023 event as 222 exhibitors from 16 countries showcased their innovative products and solutions to thousands of trade visitors from around Iraq and the entire region. Notably, a significant portion of these attendees were esteemed Hosted Buyers, joining in delegations.

The exhibitors came from Austria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates.

The astounding number of trade visitors surpassed the exhibitors' expectations by far, underscoring the immense interest and substantial investment prospects within the Iraqi agrofood & plastprintpack industry.

The event started with a bang on 19 September 2023 when it was opened by some of the most prominent figures in the industry:

• Mrs Begard Talabani, Minister of Agriculture
• Mr Sawar Kamal Hawari, Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry
• Dr Mohammed Shukri, Chairman of the Board of Investment
• Mr Omed Khoshnaw, Governor of Erbil

Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, the Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, and Türkiye were represented by their respective Consuls General.

Agro Pack Iraq took place at the prestigious Erbil International Fairground from 19 to 21 September 2023, this professionals-only event representing the entire agrofood value chain, from field to fork.