The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources confirmed that Iraq’s decision to ban the import of 31 agricultural products will not affect local farmers or the marketing of domestic goods.
Dr. Zeda Mohammed, Director General of Planning at the Ministry, said the decision follows existing agricultural quarantine laws enforced in both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region. He noted that authorities had already banned several of the listed products under earlier regulations.
“The Iraqi government’s import ban does not affect the marketing of farmers’ products in the Kurdistan Region,” Dr. Zeda said. “Authorities had already prohibited some of these products, and we did not issue import permits for them.”
He added that the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Agriculture maintains constant coordination with Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture. Iraqi authorities send any updates to the banned products list in writing, along with revised schedules.
Dr. Zeda explained that both sides coordinate closely on locally produced agricultural goods to protect farmers and control prices. When a product becomes widely available in southern and central Iraq and meets demand, authorities ban its import as long as prices in the Kurdistan Region remain stable.
He said authorities stop imports from outside Iraq once Kurdistan Region farmers supply the market. This step supports local producers and prevents market pressure. As an example, Dr. Zeda said officials recently suspended tomato imports after production increased in Basra, provided prices did not rise. He added that authorities will also halt imports once Kurdistan Region tomatoes enter the market.
To help farmers sell their products in southern and central Iraq, the Ministry introduced a special certification form. Farmers use this form to prove their products are locally produced. The document allows them to pass checkpoints without delays.
Dr. Zeda said the Ministry applies these measures every year. However, this year’s decision drew public attention due to its timing. He stressed again that the policy will not harm Kurdistan Region farmers.
Last week, Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture announced the ban on importing 31 agricultural products from the Kurdistan Region, including permanent restrictions on some items. The Ministry said it coordinated the decision with regional authorities to regulate trade and prevent illegal imports.
