Iraq Boosts Food Security by Expanding Import Routes and Regional Coordination

The Ministry of Trade has announced a series of supportive measures aimed at boosting local production and expanding import channels, confirming its strategic reserve is sufficient to meet national needs until year-end. Lama Al-Moussawi, director of the Ministry's General Company for Foodstuff Trading, stated in an official press interview that additional commercial routes, beyond Umm Qasr port, have been adopted. This ensures the smooth, uninterrupted delivery of food basket items to warehouses in Baghdad and other governorates. She reiterated that the Ministry's strategic reserve adequately covers national requirements through the close of the current year. Al-Moussawi added that the Ministry coordinated with suppliers to utilize alternative access points, including the Arar crossing with Saudi Arabia and Aqaba with Jordan. This supplements existing routes like Ibrahim Khalil with Turkey, all to enhance supply chain flexibility and continuity under various circumstances. Regarding domestic production, Al-Moussawi clarified that the company is increasing the capacity of national factories, specifically the sugar and oil factories in Babel and the cooking oil factory in Dohuk. This initiative aims to augment the strategic reserve for 2027. She noted these factories collectively produce over six thousand tons of sugar and cooking oil daily, demonstrating public-private sector integration. She affirmed these measures ensure efficient food supply to citizens. The ration card system covers over 37 million individuals, while more than seven million beneficiaries are covered by the social protection network. Daily, over 250 trucks transport and distribute foodstuffs to all governorates. Addressing marketing projects, Al-Moussawi reported that the mobile hypermarket pilot, launched last year, yielded positive results and widespread interest from governmental entities and various community segments. The company plans to generalize this experience across all governorates once necessary vehicles and supplies are secured. She also unveiled plans to inaugurate new hypermarket branches in Baghdad's New Baghdad and Al-Khalani areas, along with two in Karbala and Najaf governorates. This gradual expansion project aims for 118 hypermarkets nationwide, building on existing branches in Dhi Qar and Kirkuk, to enhance market stability and provide essential goods at competitive prices.