Duhok is emerging as a major agricultural center in the Kurdistan Region, with growing production, expanding markets, and increasing opportunities to connect local farmers with consumers across Iraq and international markets.
During the first half of 2026, Duhok shipped approximately 110,000 tons of locally produced fruits and vegetables to central and southern Iraq, including grapes, pomegranates, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and other seasonal crops. The expansion of these markets is helping local farmers reach a larger consumer base and create more stable opportunities for agricultural producers.
Duhok is also Iraq’s leading grape-producing governorate. Vineyard cultivation has expanded to approximately 25,000 dunams, with production projected at 75,000 to 80,000 tons in 2026, up from around 60,000 tons in 2025. The Region’s agricultural sector is increasingly adapting production to consumer demand while building on longstanding farming traditions.
The Kurdistan Regional Government is investing in irrigation, greenhouse production, cold storage, food processing, and packaging to strengthen agricultural supply chains and reduce reliance on imports. These efforts are part of the KRG’s broader strategy to diversify the Region’s economy and create new opportunities for farmers, businesses, and investors.
Agricultural exports are also expanding beyond Iraq. In 2025, Duhok exported more than 2,300 tons of agricultural products internationally, including honey, pomegranates, rice, sumac, and tahini. The KRG continues to pursue opportunities to expand access to international markets, including in the Gulf, Europe, and North America.
For American businesses and investors, the growth of Kurdistan’s agricultural sector presents opportunities in areas ranging from food production and processing to agricultural technology, irrigation, storage, logistics, and export development. Duhok’s expanding agricultural economy demonstrates the potential for the sector to contribute to rural development, food security, and a more diversified Kurdistan Region economy.
