Akre Figs Reach European Markets, Attract Thousands of Local Shoppers

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The old market in Akre District, Kurdistan Region, has been bustling with activity—particularly on Fridays—as tourists and shoppers flock to buy the city’s famed figs and grapes, renowned for their high quality and distinctive flavor.

Khalid Ahmed, a veteran fig seller at the historic produce market, told Kurdistan24 that this year’s fig harvest is of exceptional quality, sparking strong interest from visitors and tourists alike. “Many people from Erbil and Sulaimani come specifically to buy figs, and some even use them to make jam,” he said.

According to Ahmed, this season’s crop has been exported to several European countries, including Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Denmark. He noted that figs are carefully packaged due to their short shelf life compared to other fruits, with prices ranging between 4,000 and 8,000 Iraqi dinars per kilogram.

Unique Taste and Ideal Growing Conditions

The Director of Agriculture in Akre previously stated that favorable weather conditions, fertile soil, and abundant water have all contributed to producing high-quality figs with a unique taste that sets them apart from varieties grown elsewhere.

The director also highlighted a special variety in the region that remains available until autumn and is notable for its resistance to cold temperatures. He estimated the number of fig trees in the Akre district at around 250,000.

The areas of Dinarte, Bajil, and several villages in Girdasin are particularly famous for fig cultivation, making them some of the most prominent agricultural zones supplying both local and international markets with this seasonal fruit.