Kurdistan’s domestic agricultural production is experiencing a significant rise, aligning with the ninth cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s strategy to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on a single sector.
This year, production of key crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants has reached exceptional levels. The surplus has enabled not only local consumption but also exports abroad. A large portion of the tomato harvest is sent to processing factories, including those producing tomato juice and other food products.
Shwan Hamid, manager of the Harir tomato processing factory, confirmed that their facility began receiving local tomatoes in mid-June. “Since the 15th of this month, we have been receiving tomatoes from farmers across Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” he said. The factory processes about 100 tons of tomatoes daily, producing one kilogram of tomato paste from every seven kilograms of fresh tomatoes.
Hamid emphasized the quality and safety of Harir’s tomato paste, which is exported to the United States and several other countries. “Our paste contains no additives or fillers, which makes it superior to other products available in the Kurdistan markets. Consumers appreciate its safety and health benefits,” he added.
In addition to tomatoes, cucumber production in Kurdistan has also surged this year. Hundreds of tons of cucumbers are harvested and sold daily, particularly from the Sharazoor plain, where thousands of donums have been dedicated to cucumber cultivation. The region’s cucumbers are known for their sweet taste, attracting strong demand.
The cucumber harvest season also creates numerous job opportunities for local workers, contributing positively to the region’s economy.
With such agricultural growth, Kurdistan is moving steadily toward economic diversification and increased self-sufficiency in food production.
