Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Iraq is an import-dependent walnut market, with commercial supply dominated by shipments from China and Turkey and additional flows from the United States and Ukraine. Domestic walnuts are grown mainly in northern mountain governorates such as Dohuk, Erbil, Halabja, Sulaymaniyah, and Nineveh, but local output is limited relative to imports. Harvests are concentrated in autumn and are vulnerable to fungal disease and water stress.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with limited domestic production
Domestic RoleLocal orchards supply a niche domestic market and some internal trade
SeasonalityDomestic harvest is concentrated in the autumn in northern orchards, while imported walnuts support year-round availability.
Specification
Primary VarietyJuglans regia
Secondary Variety- Denmarki
- Afghani
- Kirmashan1
- Yahoodi Horaman1
- Horaman2
Physical Attributes- Hard shell integrity matters for in-shell trade
- Kernel fill and size affect acceptance
- Moisture and mould tolerance are key for stored kernels
Compositional Metrics- Kernel moisture after drying
- Oil content
- Kernel fill
Packaging- Bulk sacks for in-shell nuts
- Cartons for shelled kernels
- Moisture-resistant retail packs
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic orchard harvest -> dehulling and drying -> sorting -> local wholesale markets
- Imported walnuts -> port or border entry -> customs and quarantine clearance -> wholesale distribution -> retail
Temperature- Cool, dry storage is needed to protect kernel quality after drying
- Heat accelerates rancidity in shelled walnuts
Atmosphere Control- Low humidity and ventilation help preserve quality
- Shelled kernels need protection from moisture and odours
Shelf Life- In-shell walnuts keep longer than shelled kernels
- Quality declines faster when storage is warm or humid
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Plant Health HighFungal disease has severely damaged walnut trees in Hawraman and nearby Kurdistan mountain orchards, cutting harvests and making domestic supply unstable.Diversify sourcing beyond the most affected mountain areas and require post-harvest drying and orchard disease monitoring.
Regulatory Compliance MediumImports are subject to Iraq's plant-quarantine controls, so mismatched phytosanitary or origin documents can delay release.Pre-check the document set against the Iraqi quarantine requirements before shipment.
Logistics MediumWalnuts are imported from a small set of origins, and border or inland transport interruptions can quickly affect availability and landed cost.Use multiple origin countries and buffer inventory in local warehouses.
Food Safety MediumHeat and humidity in Iraqi storage conditions can accelerate mould and rancidity, especially in shelled walnuts.Use moisture-barrier packaging and cool, dry storage.
Market Price Volatility MediumSupplier concentration around China and Turkey can move wholesale prices when harvest, freight, or border conditions change.Index pricing to multiple origins and avoid single-source dependence.
Sustainability- Water stress and drought sensitivity in northern walnut orchards
- Fungal disease pressure in Hawraman and adjacent mountain areas
Labor & Social- Manual harvesting in steep orchard terrain creates worker safety risk
FAQ
Is Iraq mainly a walnut importer or exporter?Iraq is mainly an importer. Mirror trade data show large inflows from China and Turkey, with additional supply from the United States and Ukraine.
Where are walnuts grown in Iraq?The main growing areas documented in northern Iraq are Dohuk, Erbil, Halabja, Sulaymaniyah, and Nineveh.
What is the biggest supply risk for Iraqi walnuts?Fungal disease in the Hawraman mountain area has severely damaged trees and reduced harvests, so domestic supply can swing sharply.
What documents matter at the border?Iraq's quarantine rules and IPPC reporting show that plant-quarantine controls and phytosanitary certification are part of the import and export process; origin documents are also commonly checked.