Agricultural products in the Kurdistan Region have become much cheaper after a period of rising prices. Wholesale markets in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah now show a clear decline.
Agriculture officials say the main reason is the arrival of local harvests. They also point to increased supplies from other Iraqi provinces. As a result, prices have fallen in most vegetable markets.
Markets now receive more local produce. They also receive larger shipments from central and southern Iraq. This increase in supply has pushed prices down. Officials say consumers are benefiting from the change.
Heemin Sayed Murad, Director General of Agriculture in Erbil, said local production is strong. He added that good-quality crops helped stabilize the market. Higher supply has also increased competition among sellers.
In Sulaymaniyah, Sarwar Ali, head of the Agricultural Union Committee, confirmed the trend. He said most vegetables are now cheaper. However, tomato prices remain relatively high. He linked this to flooding in Iran, which affected the supply.
Other agricultural products have become more available. Onions now come from Najaf and Karbala. Potatoes arrive from Kalar and Mosul. This steady flow has reduced prices in the markets.
Recent comparisons in Sulaymaniyah show clear changes. Tomato prices fell from 1,500–1,600 dinars to 1,100–1,300 dinars per kilogram. Potatoes dropped from 900 to 450–500 dinars. Cucumbers fell from 750 to 400–500 dinars. Onions decreased from 550–600 to 350–400 dinars per kilogram.
In related news, chicken prices in Kurdistan have started to rise again. Traders blame the higher exports to other Iraqi provinces. Earlier, tensions in the region reduced exports. Now, demand outside the region has increased. This has pushed prices up in local markets.
