Latest WTO figures highlight Iraq’s
fast-rising food & beverage imports
Iraq’s food imports surged between 2018 and 2024, with an annual growth rate of 11.6%, rising from US$ 10.9 billion to US$ 21.0 billion (WTO).
This solidifies Iraq's position as the third largest food importer in the Arab Middle East, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Source: WTO / Graph: fairtrade
Opportunities in food & beverage trade with Iraq
Although domestic production is steadily increasing, Iraq is still highly dependent on food imports.
With an average income of about US$ 570, Iraq is an upper-middle class economy according to the World Bank. About 43% of monthly income is spent on food.
EU imports are particularly high for infant and baby food, eggs, honey, cheese, pasta and pet food.
Market studies predict that demand for other product groups will continue to grow, creating business opportunities in the following products:
- Sweets, biscuits, snacks
- Dairy products such as cheese, cream, milk powder, ...
- Poultry and beef
- Products for food production, processing and preservation
Range of exhibits
Food and beverages
- Bread & bakery
- Dairy
- Drinks
- Fish & seafood
- Fresh & chilled food
- Frozen food
- General foods
- Health food
- Hot beverages
- Ice cream & deep-frozen confectionery
- Meat & meat products
- Organic food
- Snack food
- Sweets
Equipment and supplies for hotels and restaurants, bars and cafés, canteens and commercial kitchens
- Building furnishings and equipment
- Coffee machines
- Distribution systems and serving equipment
- Ice-cream machines
- Information and billing systems
- Refrigeration technology
- Kitchen technology
- Rinsing, cleaning and disposal technologySweets
