Bumper apple crop in Barwari Bala goes unsold, farmers call for urgent market solutions

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In the picturesque village of Jadidke, located in Barwari Bala, Duhok province, thousands of apple trees stretch across the landscape, yielding a bounty of apples known throughout Kurdistan for their exceptional taste and texture.

Yet, despite this year's impressive production of over 60 tons, most of these apples are left to rot beneath the trees, unsold and wasted.

Farmers in the village, such as Zia and Sulaka, express their deep frustration with the current market situation. “To be honest, I don’t see apples being sold because they are considered too cheap,” Zia explained to Kurdistan24’s Maher Shingali.

“We managed to sell some, but even those who bought them haven’t come to collect their purchase. We call the vendors and urge them to pick up the apples, but they say they don’t sell in the market. This year’s harvest is high, but there’s little market demand,” he added.

Sulaka echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the quality of their produce. “Barwari apples are famous for their texture and taste,” he said.

“It’s heartbreaking to see them go to waste. We’ve tried to market them in wholesale markets and to other cities across Kurdistan, even exploring opportunities beyond our borders. We believe our apples have the potential to become popular in regional and international markets. We need support to make that a reality,” he said.

Walking through Jadidke’s apple farms, it’s common to see apples lying abandoned under the trees. Because of poor market prospects, many farmers are hesitant to pick the fruit, resulting in a tragic waste of this delicious resource.

The farmers are now urgently calling for help in marketing their apples to prevent further loss and to secure a stable source of income.

Efforts are being made by the General Directorate of Agriculture in Duhok to address the issue.

“Since last year, we’ve encouraged investors to consider Barwari Bala’s agricultural potential,” said the Director of Agriculture in Duhok. “Some agreements were reached, with investors buying apples and storing them in cold storage facilities, benefiting both sides. However, it isn’t always feasible. In those cases, the best option for farmers is to bring their produce to wholesale markets, where demand and quality determine prices.”

According to the Director, apple prices can range from 1,500 dinars per kilo to as low as 600 dinars, depending on quality and market conditions. “The market dictates what sells,” he added.

Barwari Bala, renowned for its apple production, has yielded more than 10,000 tons of apples this year. Last year’s harvest found buyers both locally and internationally, but this year, the market has proven more challenging.

As farmers in Jadidke and across Barwari Bala look for solutions, there is a pressing need to connect their high-quality produce to wider markets, ensuring that this year’s apples do not go to waste and that the region’s agricultural potential is fully realized.

Further reporting for this news article was done by Kurdistan24's Correspondent Maher Shengali.