The Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has assured citizens that the ongoing war will not cause food shortages. The ministry confirmed that warehouses currently hold enough essential food to meet demand for six months.
Nawzad Sheikh Kamil, General Director of Commerce for the Kurdistan Region, addressed the public via social media. Additionally, he said that since the outbreak of the conflict, the ministry has maintained full readiness. Officials continue coordinating closely with local markets and traders to ensure smooth supply chains.
Sheikh Kamil reported that teams have inspected all regional warehouses. “We found abundant food stocks across all governorates,” he said. “If we distribute supplies in an organized way to markets, they will last six months without causing any shortages.”
The director also stated that border crossings remain open, including the Ibrahim Khalil crossing and those along Iran’s border. Therefore, traders were informed that they can import food from any available entry point.
Regarding monthly food aid for residents, Sheikh Kamil said the ministry is now preparing the second batch. Each package contains three kilograms of rice, olive oil, pulses, lentils, and tomato paste, supporting low-income families. He added that two more months of aid are already available in warehouses.
The ministry urged citizens to remain calm. “There is no need to stockpile food at home,” Sheikh Kamil said. “We will not allow markets to inflate prices or hoard supplies. Essential items are sufficiently available.”
The ministry also monitored market activity last month. Inspectors visited 3,000 markets, recorded 270 violations, and fined offenders a total of 21 million Iraqi dinars. Authorities confiscated 70 tons of expired food and closed 20 locations across the region.
Since the start of the U.S. and Israeli conflict with Iran on February 28, the Kurdistan Region has also faced repeated drone and missile attacks. According to local reports, authorities recorded 588 attacks in total, including 32 drones just in the past 24 hours, targeting different areas.
