Baghdad, Iraq – Iraq remains a global leader in date palm cultivation and ranks fourth worldwide in date production. The country’s agriculture sector has made significant strides, with the number of date palms expected to reach over 22 million by 2025. Furthermore, Iraq’s date export industry has flourished, with 700,000 tons of dates exported in 2024 alone.
According to Mithaab Abdul Hussein, the Technical Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Iraq’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity has yielded impressive results. He emphasized that Iraq continues to hold the top spot for the number of date palms, followed closely by Iran, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and Egypt. The figures show that Iraq is home to 22 million date palms, while Iran has 21 million, Saudi Arabia 12 million, and Algeria and Egypt each with 7 million.
Abdul Hussein highlighted the tremendous increase in date production over recent years. In 2022, Iraq produced over 650,000 tons of dates. This output grew to approximately 725,000 tons in 2023, and in 2024, Iraq surpassed 800,000 tons. With such significant growth, Iraq exported more than 700,000 tons of dates to various countries worldwide.
The increase in production reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to support the agricultural sector and boost exports. Abdul Hussein noted that the Ministry of Agriculture’s initiatives have played a pivotal role in enhancing Iraq’s agricultural capabilities. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to diversify Iraq’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
Looking ahead, Iraq plans to further expand its date palm industry. The Ministry of Agriculture aims to increase the number of date palms to 30 million in the coming years. This ambitious goal, along with the continued development of date exports, will contribute to Iraq’s economic diversification.
Iraq’s growing role in the global date market demonstrates its agricultural potential. The country is determined to continue improving its date production and exports, reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry.
