Baghdad: The Ministry of Agriculture announced a complete ban on the import of 33 food items, while noting that 15 other crops are subject to a variable ban based on the agricultural calendar and local production seasons. The ministry’s official spokesperson, Qusay al-Hattab, provided details of this decision.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Hattab stated that the Ministry of Agriculture’s mechanism is effective and in place within the agricultural calendar, which has led to the complete ban on the import of 33 food items. These items include sheep, processed fats, calves for breeding, endangered animals, predatory piranhas, all types of minced meat, parts of the carcass such as head and limbs, animal protein, horses, and predatory animals.

He further elaborated on the variable ban affecting 15 items, which includes vegetable crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, onions, eggplants, and others. The importation of these items is determined based on reports submitted by specialized committees in the Planning and Follow-up Department of the Ministry of Agriculture. These committees conduct daily inspections of the Jamila and Zuwayni wholesale markets, along with the Rashid wholesale market.

Al-Hattab explained that the ministry has currently suspended the import of vegetable crops at the request of the Minister of Agriculture to the Prime Minister during a meeting of the General Secretariat. The ban on imports during the local production season was approved. He also clarified that the ban is subject to change and that after the season ends, if a shortage of certain crops is recorded, the ministry will consider importing these crops as part of its strategy.