The Kurdistan Region has achieved a major agricultural milestone by exporting locally grown onions to an international market for the first time. The shipment highlights the Region’s growing agricultural sector and supports efforts to increase non-oil exports and strengthen farmers’ incomes.
The first shipment includes 3,000 tons of onions grown in Bardarash, Duhok Governorate. Zangenan Company is transporting the products to Turkey, opening a new market for Kurdistan’s agricultural products.
Officials said the export forms part of the Kurdistan Agriculture Export Initiative (KAEI). Therefore, the program aims to connect local farmers with regional and international markets. It also encourages private investment, improves agricultural production, and supports the Kurdistan Region’s economic diversification strategy.
Ahmed Jamil, Director General of Agriculture in Duhok, said the government is committed to finding new international markets for local farmers. He explained that officials continue supporting exporters to ensure Kurdistan’s agricultural products reach buyers outside Iraq.
Jamil confirmed that the 3,000-ton shipment marks the first export of Kurdistan-grown onions to Turkey. He described the project as an important step toward expanding agricultural trade with neighboring countries.
Bardarash has become one of the Kurdistan Region’s leading farming areas. Furthermore, the district produces large quantities of onions, potatoes, and wheat every year. Thousands of farming families depend on these crops for their livelihoods. As production continues to increase, officials are seeking larger export markets to absorb the growing harvest.
According to Jamil, international exports will encourage farmers to improve quality, adopt modern farming methods, and increase production. He added that the first shipment proves the high quality of Kurdistan’s agricultural products and creates new opportunities for future exports.
The Kurdistan exports onions internationally milestone builds on earlier successes. In recent years, Kurdistan has exported products such as pomegranates, apples, honey, and potatoes to regional and Gulf markets. These achievements demonstrate the growing competitiveness of the Region’s agricultural sector.
Officials believe stronger export markets will provide stable incomes for farmers while encouraging investment across rural communities. They also expect agricultural exports to play a larger role in reducing the Region’s dependence on oil revenues.
The Kurdistan exports onions internationally initiative marks the beginning of a broader strategy to expand overseas markets. Officials hope this first shipment will open the door for more agricultural exports and strengthen Kurdistan’s position as a regional supplier of high-quality farm products.
