ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s trade ministry said Saturday food supplies remain stable and markets are well stocked, as regional conflict rises following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation.
Trade ministry spokesperson Mohammed Hanoun said in a statement that authorities are “closely monitoring regional developments,” stressing that “the food situation in Iraq is stable and under control, and there are no indicators that call for concern regarding the availability of food materials in the markets.”
The statement came after Saturday’s strikes and Iran’s response, which have affected several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
United States President Donald Trump addressed the Iranian people on Sunday, saying, “When we are finished, take over your government - it will be yours to take.”
Hanoun said the government has given food security “significant and increasing attention in anticipation of emergency circumstances and has worked during the past period to strengthen the strategic reserve of basic food materials,” particularly wheat, rice, sugar and oil.
He added that the ministry’s stockpile is “good and sufficient” to meet domestic needs, and said measures are in place to “prevent any exploitation that could lead to price increases.”
Following the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025, trade between Iraq and Iran declined. Hanoun told Rudaw in late September that Iraq exported $178 million worth of goods to Iran while importing $4.328 billion. In 2024, total trade volume between the two countries stood at $12.5 billion.
Trade ministry spokesperson Mohammed Hanoun said in a statement that authorities are “closely monitoring regional developments,” stressing that “the food situation in Iraq is stable and under control, and there are no indicators that call for concern regarding the availability of food materials in the markets.”
The statement came after Saturday’s strikes and Iran’s response, which have affected several Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
United States President Donald Trump addressed the Iranian people on Sunday, saying, “When we are finished, take over your government - it will be yours to take.”
Hanoun said the government has given food security “significant and increasing attention in anticipation of emergency circumstances and has worked during the past period to strengthen the strategic reserve of basic food materials,” particularly wheat, rice, sugar and oil.
He added that the ministry’s stockpile is “good and sufficient” to meet domestic needs, and said measures are in place to “prevent any exploitation that could lead to price increases.”
Following the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June 2025, trade between Iraq and Iran declined. Hanoun told Rudaw in late September that Iraq exported $178 million worth of goods to Iran while importing $4.328 billion. In 2024, total trade volume between the two countries stood at $12.5 billion.
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