Iraq Business News brings you the latest news on developments and opportunities in Iraq agriculture.
By John Lee. Iraq has taken over from Russia as Turkey's biggest market for citrus fruits. In 2015, Russia took $90.52 million worth of the product, while so far in 2016 Iraq has taken citrus fruit to the value of $84.54 million. (Source: Fresh Plaza) (Picture Credit: Layth Mahdi)
By Simon Kent. Apparently concerned about the lethal pathogenic H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus, which has previously been reported in Iraq, the country has extended a ban on poultry imports. Previously French poultry product imports were banned in December, but in January the ban was extended to over 20 countries. Monday's ban on […]
By John Lee. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said on Tuesday that there have been six outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus in Iraq between mid-December and early February, in the first occurrence of the disease in 10 years. The outbreak has killed 77,101 birds, with another 641,498 destroyed as […]
By John Lee. AccuWeather reports that a slow-moving storm system will lead to flash flooding from Iraq and western Iran into Saudi Arabia and Yemen on Wednesday and Thursday. Rainfall of 12-25 mm will be common with locally higher amounts in the strongest thunderstorms. Areas such as Baghdad and Basrah will get multiple downpours. (Source: […]
By John Lee. Research has found that the Tigris-Euphrates Basin -- comprising Turkey, Syria, Iraq and western Iran -- is losing water faster than any other place on the planet except northern India. According to the UN Development Progamme (UNDP), while scientists have been able to record falling water levels, political analysts have simultaneously observed […]
By John Lee. Iraq's Etihad Food Industries will reportedly start production at its new $100-million edible oils refinery in Babylon by the end of the year. Commercial Director Haidar Alnoumany told Reuters that the company started building the infrastructure two months ago, and when in production it will source crude (edible) oil from many origins […]
By John Lee. Iraq has banned the importion of frozen and live poultry products from two dozen countries. According to a report from Reuters, Baghdad restricted poultry imports from France last month, following a reported outbreak of H5N1 bird flu. The ban now extends to Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Bhutan, China, Egypt, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, […]
By John Lee. The head of the Parliamentary Committee for Municipality and Tourism has said that there is a grave threat to water resources in parts of Iraqi Kurdistan due to an Iranian policy that will dry up the Region’s water resources originating in Iran. After visiting the Sirwan River in Halabjah province, Omer Haji […]
By Simon Kent. Nine senior officials at Iraq's Grain Board have been relieved of their jobs, although no details of the dismissals have been reported. The Grain Board has a critical responsibility for procuring grain imports, strategically vital for feeding a country with a growing population and an agricultural sector threatened by acute drought. The […]
By John Lee. The new Etihad sugar refinery in Babylon said on Thursday it had imported 850,000 tonnes of raw sugar since the start of operations earlier this year, according to a report from Reuters. The plant, which is currently operating close to full capacity of around 3,000 tonnes a day, will see expansion work […]
By John Lee. Iraq's acting trade minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has reportedly sacked the head of the powerful Grain Board of Iraq and six other officials over allegations of corruption. Reuters quotes ministry sources as saying that the move was part of a comprehensive operation intended to "cleanse the ministry of officials who have any hint […]
By John Lee. Iraq is increasingly importing raw sugar instead of white, as a new sugar refinery has ramped up production faster than expected, according to Reuters. Ir is estimated that the Babylon refinery south of Baghdad, which serves the domestic market, had imported around 375,000 tonnes of Brazilian raw sugar in the past six […]
