Potato Market Overview in Iraq

The Iraqi potato market skyrocketed to $ in 2019, picking up by % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, posted pronounced growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $ in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, potato production soared to $ in 2019 estimated in export prices. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 with an increase of % year-to-year. Potato production peaked at $ in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, production remained at a lower figure.

In 2019, the average potato yield in Iraq rose to tonnes per ha, picking up by % on the year before. In general, the yield recorded a notable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of % year-to-year. The potato yield peaked at tonnes per ha in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2019, the yield failed to regain the momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The potato harvested area in Iraq soared to ha in 2019, increasing by % on the year before. Over the period under review, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The potato harvested area peaked at ha in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, the harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Potato consumption in Iraq soared to tonnes in 2019, jumping by % compared with the year before. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, consumption reached the peak volume at tonnes in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The value of the potato market in Iraq soared to $ in 2019, with an increase of % against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, showed notable growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $ in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2019, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Depressed by shrinking demand for potato in Iraq, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -% for the period from 2019 to , which is projected to depress the market volume to tonnes by the end of .

Driven by a growing demand, the share of imports in total supply in Iraq increased significantly over the last twelve-year period (from % to %).

Iraq remains a net importer of potato; in physical and value terms, imports consistently exceeded exports from 2007 to 2019. In 2019, there was a significant trade deficit of tonnes, which was equal to $. This tangible trade deficit reflects the fact that the market remains dependent on imports, which is likely to continue in the medium term.