Duhok Sumac Production Expected to Reach 10,000 Tons, Agriculture Chief Says

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Sumac production in Duhok province is expected to reach nearly 10,000 tons this year, with the crop increasingly serving as a major source of income for hundreds of farming families and earning a reputation as the region’s “red gold,” a senior agricultural official told Kurdistan24.

Ahmed Jameel, Director General of Agriculture in Duhok, told Kurdistan24 on Thursday, that the area cultivated with sumac trees across the province has expanded to nearly 13,500 dunams, with cultivation increasing annually.

Akre district accounts for the largest share of Duhok’s sumac production, contributing approximately 80 percent of the province’s total output, Jameel said.

He identified three main varieties grown in the area: red, Balak, and white sumac.

At the farm level, red sumac currently sells for between 9,000 and 12,000 Iraqi dinars ($6.87–$9.16) per kilogram, while Balak sumac is priced at 9,000–14,000 dinars ($6.87–$10.69) per kilogram. White sumac commands the highest price, ranging from 12,000 to 16,000 dinars ($9.16–$12.21) per kilogram.

Sumac exports

Jameel said nearly 1,600 tons of sumac were exported from Duhok to Türkiye last year.

So far this year, 55 tons have been exported in two shipments. However, exports are currently temporarily suspended due to rising prices in the domestic market, he added.

Akre sumac is among the most famous and highly prized spices in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, known for its distinctive maroon color, quality, and sharp, citrus-like flavor. Locally known as “smaq,” it is cultivated in the mountainous areas of Akre and is considered an important agricultural product for local farmers.

Villages including Dinarta and Dustak are particularly well known for producing high-quality sumac, with the crop grown across thousands of acres and forming an important part of the local agricultural economy.

In September 2025, traders in Akre announced that 45 tons of locally produced sumac had been prepared for export to Türkiye, highlighting efforts to expand the reach of Kurdistan Region agricultural products in international markets.

Read More: Kurdistan Exports 45 Tons of Akre Sumac to Türkiye

Jameel described sumac as one of Duhok’s most important local crops, emphasizing its growing economic significance and its role as a vital source of income for farming communities in the province.