Halabja to Host Weekly Agricultural Products Market Starting This Friday
Pilot Initiative Aims to Showcase Halabja’s Fresh, Diverse, and High-Quality Local Products, Star Mahmoud, DG of Agriculture in Halabja, told Kurdistan24.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Star Mahmoud, General Director of Agriculture in Halabja province, on Tuesday announced exclusively to Kurdistan24 that the weekly agricultural produce market will commence this Friday in Halabja.
Mahmoud said the market will be held every Friday throughout this month, operating from 4:00 PM until 11:00 PM.
He added that more than 100 local farmers will participate in the market, showcasing their homegrown products.
Star Mahmoud emphasized that this event is organized by the General Directorate of Agriculture in Halabja as a pilot initiative. If successful, the weekly market will continue regularly. He further noted that the main goal is to display the highest quality of local produce available during this season, highlighting its freshness, variety, and cleanliness.
Halabja, a city nestled in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is renowned for its fertile lands and rich agricultural heritage. The region’s favorable climate, abundant water resources, and fertile soil create ideal conditions for cultivating a diverse range of crops, making agriculture a vital part of Halabja’s economy and cultural identity.
Among Halabja’s most celebrated agricultural products is its iconic pomegranate. The Halabja pomegranate is widely recognized for its exceptional sweetness, vibrant color, and juiciness, distinguishing it from varieties grown elsewhere. This fruit has long been a symbol of the region’s agricultural excellence, admired both locally and internationally. Farmers in Halabja have perfected traditional cultivation methods passed down through generations, ensuring that their pomegranates maintain high quality and flavor.
In recent years, the fame of Halabja pomegranates has extended well beyond Iraq’s borders. The fruit has found lucrative markets in Dubai and other parts of the United Arab Emirates, as well as in various European countries. Exporters have capitalized on the growing global demand for premium, naturally grown fruits, positioning Halabja pomegranates as a sought-after delicacy in international markets. This export success has not only boosted local farmers’ incomes but also helped promote the Kurdistan Region’s agricultural products on the world stage.
To celebrate and promote its unique agricultural heritage, Halabja hosts annual agricultural festivals that draw farmers, traders, and visitors from across the region and beyond. These festivals showcase the best of Halabja’s produce, including pomegranates, apples, cherries, and various vegetables and herbs. The events provide a platform for local producers to display their goods, exchange knowledge, and foster partnerships. Cultural activities and traditional performances often accompany the festivals, highlighting the deep connection between agriculture and the community’s social fabric.
Through these festivals and ongoing export efforts, Halabja continues to strengthen its reputation as a center of agricultural excellence, preserving its traditions while embracing new economic opportunities in the global marketplace.
