Trade between Iraq and Turkey increased in the first half of 2025, while overall trade with Iran declined, according to Iraq's Ministry of Trade.
"Trade with Turkey reached US$6.93 billion as of the end of June this year. Turkey's exports to Iraq stood at US$5.64 billion, while Iraq's exports to the country stood at US$991.62 million," said ministry spokesperson Mohammed Hanoun. He noted that the figures are based on International Trade Center data and that additional flows not recorded there likely make the total volume higher. "Trade volume with Turkey has increased. There is huge economic coordination between Iraq and Turkey," he said.
Iraq's main exports to Turkey are oil, dates, vegetables, and fruit. Imports from Turkey include construction materials, energy, and food products, with tomato sauce and vegetables among the key categories. According to Hanoun, 60–70 percent of some food imports into Iraq originate from Turkey. Iraq also imports gold from Turkey, in addition to sourcing from the UAE and Bahrain. The ministry confirmed plans to establish a "gold city" in Baghdad, with the objective of turning the country into an exporter of the metal.
In contrast, trade with Iran has decreased. Iraq exported US$178 million worth of goods to Iran in the first half of the year, while importing US$4.33 billion. Total trade volume between the two countries reached US$12.5 billion in 2024, showing a reduction in activity this year.
The ministry indicated that while Turkey has consolidated its role as Iraq's leading trading partner, with strong demand for agricultural goods, including fruit and vegetables, trade with Iran is showing a downward trend.
Source: Rudaw