Vegetable prices have dropped sharply across the Kurdistan Region as local farms continue to increase production. Officials say Kurdistan local vegetables now make up nearly 100% of the produce sold in wholesale markets, reducing the need for imports and lowering prices for consumers.
Hoshyar Jalil, head of Agricultural Customs Monitoring in Erbil, said all vegetables currently available in Erbil’s wholesale markets come from local farms. He explained that the large harvest has allowed domestic producers to fully supply the market during the current growing season.
Rajab Haji Aziz, head of Erbil’s Wholesale Market Association, said abundant local production has caused vegetable prices to fall significantly. He added that consumers now have access to fresh produce at much lower prices than in previous months.
Sulaymaniyah has reported a similar trend. Haji Ata Mohammed, spokesperson for the city’s wholesale market, said about 95% of vegetables sold there are locally grown. Only a few products, such as broccoli, still come from outside the Kurdistan Region.
Current wholesale prices remain affordable. Tomatoes sell for 250 to 400 Iraqi dinars per kilogram. Cucumbers and eggplants start at 150 dinars per kilogram. Peppers cost between 250 and 500 dinars, while potatoes range from 300 to 650 dinars. Onions sell for about 300 dinars per kilogram, and okra ranges from 1,500 to 2,500 dinars depending on quality. Carrots, beetroot, cauliflower, squash, and zucchini have also recorded lower prices.
The strong Kurdistan local vegetables harvest has also increased exports. Wholesale markets now ship nearly 5,000 tons of vegetables every day to central and southern Iraq.
Erbil alone exports around 4,000 tons daily. Sulaymaniyah and Halabja together ship more than 600 tons, while Duhok exports nearly 400 tons of vegetables and some fruit each day.
Agricultural officials say the growing supply benefits both farmers and consumers. Strong production creates new export opportunities while keeping local prices stable. As harvesting continues throughout the summer, Kurdistan local vegetables are expected to remain widely available, helping strengthen the region’s agricultural sector and supporting food security across Iraq.
