ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdistan Region on Saturday made the first-ever export of its renowned pomegranates to Gulf countries, marking the Region's first non-oil export and a landmark step in efforts to broaden the economy.
The Kurdistan Region’s pomegranates arrived in the supermarket shelves of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the fruit being described as “premium grade” by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani,
Kurdistan's premium grade pomegranates are hitting supermarket shelves across the Gulf.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) December 3, 2022
Have you tried it? #Hanar pic.twitter.com/zlj4ZTdvmF
Among the most famous types of pomegranates in the Kurdistan Region are those originating from Halabja, where an annual pomegranate festival showcasing around 30 different types of pomegranates is held which sees tens of thousands flock to the event.
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ministry of agriculture has on multiple occasions said they are willing to support farmers who want to export their pomegranates.
Halabja produced 12,500 tons of pomegranates planted on nearly 9,000 dunams of land this year, according to Star Kamal, head of Halabja’s Agriculture Directorate, The figure is down from last year’s 25,000 tons, largely linked to water shortage, lack of rainfall, and last year’s cold weather.
A main objective of Barzani’s cabinet has been to diversify the Region’s economy and take advantage of its fruitful agricultural capabilities to export goods abroad, despite the majority of its agricultural products being imported from neighboring Iran and Turkey.
