Kurdistan Region's Summer Harvest Boosts Markets with Thousands of Tons of Fresh Produce Daily
Qadir said the KRG coordinates annually with the Iraqi federal government on the agricultural calendar to support the marketing and sale of domestic produce while regulating imports.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Domestic agricultural production in the Kurdistan Region has reached exceptional levels during the 2026 summer harvest season, with thousands of tons of locally grown crops supplied to markets every day, the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources said on Thursday.
Qaraman Qadir, spokesperson for the ministry, told Kurdistan24 that the annual summer harvest season runs from May 10 to Nov. 10, during which markets across the Kurdistan Region are filled with locally produced fruits and vegetables, providing farmers with an important opportunity to market and sell their produce.
Qadir said the KRG coordinates annually with the Iraqi federal government on the agricultural calendar to support the marketing and sale of domestic produce while regulating imports.
"Each year, an agreement is made with the Iraqi government concerning the agricultural calendar to bolster the marketing and sale of domestic agricultural products," Qadir said. "However, if the prices of any agricultural product rise significantly, imports are permitted to ensure sufficient supplies for the Kurdistan Region."
According to figures provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources to Kurdistan24, tomato production ranges between 1,500 and 3,000 tons daily, primarily from Penjwen district and other mountainous areas.
Watermelon production reaches approximately 2,000 to 3,500 tons per day, mainly from Garmiyan, Erbil, and the Sharazur Plain, while cantaloupe output stands at around 800 to 1,500 tons daily.
The ministry said daily cucumber production ranges from 600 to 1,000 tons from both greenhouse and open-field farms. Eggplant production totals about 400 to 800 tons per day, followed by hot and sweet peppers at 300 to 600 tons, courgettes at 250 to 500 tons, okra at 200 to 400 tons, and Armenian cucumbers at 150 to 300 tons per day.
The ministry said the strong summer harvest reflects the Kurdistan Region's growing domestic agricultural output and its efforts to strengthen food security while supporting local farmers.