Iraq Bans Imports of 33 Food Items and Regulates Vegetable Imports Based on Local Production

Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture announced on Wednesday a permanent ban on the import of 33 food items, while stating that restrictions on 15 other crops would be adjusted according to the agricultural calendar and local production seasons.

Ministry spokesperson Qusay Al-Hattab told the Iraqi Press Agency that the permanently banned products include sheep, processed fats, calves intended for breeding, endangered and predatory animals, piranha fish, all types of minced meat, various parts of slaughtered animals, animal protein and horses.

He explained that import restrictions on 15 crops—including tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, onions and eggplants—would be subject to change depending on domestic production levels, based on reports prepared by specialized committees within the ministry’s Planning and Follow-up Department.

Al-Hattab noted that the ministry has currently suspended imports of several vegetable crops following a request from the agriculture minister and approval by the prime minister, in an effort to protect local production during the harvest season.

He added that the temporary restrictions could be lifted after the end of the local production season if shortages emerge in certain crops or market supplies decline.