Conflict Impacts Wild Herb Market in Amedi District
Jalal Ahmad, one of the oldest vendors in the Sheladiz subdistrict, told Kurdistan24 on Sunday that prices for wild herbs have shifted noticeably this year, driven by instability in the region.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Ongoing clashes between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have affected the trade and pricing of wild herbs in the Amedi district of Duhok province, local shopkeepers say.
Jalal Ahmad, one of the oldest vendors in the Sheladiz subdistrict, told Kurdistan24 on Sunday that prices for wild herbs have shifted noticeably this year, driven by instability in the region.
“There are about 20 kinds of wild herbs collected in this area, and their prices have generally increased compared to previous years,” Ahmad said.
While some overall prices have dropped by as much as 20% due to decreased demand and access issues in conflict zones, specific varieties have seen sharp price hikes. According to Ahmad, the price of chorin has more than doubled, rising from 2,000 to 5,000 dinars per kilogram. Malish has climbed from 6,000 to 10,000 dinars, and wild mushrooms have jumped from 20,000 to 30,000 dinars per kilogram.
Every spring, the Kurdistan Region’s markets are traditionally filled with a rich variety of wild herbs collected from the mountainous areas. However, this year, escalating tensions and limited access to foraging areas have disrupted that seasonal rhythm.
Despite the challenges, the demand for these herbs remains high due to their nutritional and medicinal value, keeping vendors like Ahmad hopeful for stability in the seasons to come.
