
China and Turkiye lead Iraq's imports in 2024
China and Turkiye have emerged as Iraq's top trading partners in 2024, supplying the highest volume of goods to the country, according to data published on Wednesday by Trade Map, a global trade statistics platform.
The site's statistics indicate that imports from both countries accounted for between 20% and 50% of Iraq's total imports during the year.
Chinese exports to Iraq primarily included mechanical and electrical equipment, automobiles, and various industrial goods, while Imports from Turkiye featured products such as precious stones, electrical machinery, furniture, and other consumer items.
India ranked third among Iraq's import sources, contributing between 5% and 10% of total imports, which mainly include goods like rice, gasoline, and meat products.
The report also noted that Iraq imported between 1% and 5% of its goods from countries including the United States, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
Smaller import volumes—less than 1%—came from Brazil, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Spain, Ukraine, and several other nations.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraqi News
42 minutes ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq's Development Road to include 6 airports and 15 industrial cities
Baghdad ( – Iraq's Ministry of Transport recently unveiled key outcomes from a pivotal meeting led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani regarding the ambitious Development Road project. Held last Wednesday, the session brought together the Minister of Transport, the head of the Supreme Committee for Coordination Between Governorates, and various directors-general, advisors, along with a representative from Oliver Wyman, the project's economic consultant. Maytham Al-Safi, Director of Relations and Media for the Ministry of Transport, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that discussions around the Development Road project have been continuous. These meetings have involved the Ministry of Transport, other relevant institutions, and both the Italian technical consultant (BTB) and the economic consultant, Oliver Wyman. Delving into last Wednesday's meeting, Al-Safi explained that the Prime Minister stressed a clear commitment to implementing directives, particularly concerning the formation of a committee. This committee will be tasked with determining the final route between Iraq and Turkey, basing its decisions on technical and economic considerations. Furthermore, the Prime Minister emphasized resolving all existing challenges within the project and adhering to its strict timelines. The meeting also featured a presentation by Oliver Wyman on the project's economic and financial model, according to Al-Safi. This presentation, a culmination of previous discussions with the Ministry of Transport, outlined the economic framework to be presented to the Prime Minister, leading to its finalization and preparation for investment offerings. Regarding the project's current status, Al-Safi confirmed that the preliminary design phase has concluded, and significant progress has been made in the detailed design stage. The Ministry aims to present the project to major international companies by the end of the current year. The project will be strategically divided into sections to encourage competition among global firms, ensuring their adherence to international standards for successful implementation. Beyond Iraq's borders, Al-Safi disclosed that several countries are already formal partners in the project, including Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, via signed Memoranda of Understanding. Additionally, another council has been formed, comprising Turkey, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria, representing the European dimension of the initiative. Other nations also aspire to join the project, either in its execution or participation. Al-Safi highlighted recent visits from economic representatives of various embassies in Baghdad to the Ministry of Transport and the Supreme Committee for the Development Road project, including the Chinese economic advisor last year and the Australian and French ambassadors this year. These discussions underscored widespread international interest in the project, recognizing it as a global endeavor with implications beyond Iraq for the entire region and the world. Ultimately, Al-Safi asserted that the Development Road project is poised to create thousands of job opportunities for Iraqis and fundamentally transform Iraq's economic transportation landscape. It is also expected to boost the national economic output, leading to comprehensive Iraqi economic integration, both domestically and internationally. The project's overarching policy aims for seamless connectivity across all sectors. Al-Safi further clarified that the project will integrate three existing major airports—Baghdad, Basra, and Najaf—and will connect to three new airports slated to enter service: Nasiriyah, Karbalaa, and the recently opened Mosul airport. Moreover, the project will link to 15 industrial cities, emphasizing its role beyond mere transit. He concluded by stating that the project is an integrated developmental initiative, benefiting connecting provinces by utilizing their raw materials and generating investment opportunities through local governments, institutions, and ministries.


Iraqi News
43 minutes ago
- Iraqi News
Iraqi car market sees massive surge in Chinese vehicle sales in H1 2025
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi car market is witnessing a dramatic shift, with Chinese vehicle sales soaring by an impressive 80% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Over 18,000 cars from China have been imported into the country during this period, significantly up from approximately 10,000 units sold in the first half of 2024. This remarkable surge signals a burgeoning demand among Iraqi consumers for Chinese automobiles, a trend extensively analyzed by the Iraq Future Foundation for Economic Studies and Consultations. According to the foundation, the increase is primarily driven by the attractive combination of competitive pricing and robust features offered by Chinese models. Amir Al-Janabi, a leading expert in the Iraqi car market, highlighted in an exclusive interview with IraqiNews that consumer confidence has been significantly bolstered by the after-sales services. Official Chinese brand dealerships are providing a critical two-year average warranty, which covers repairs and malfunctions directly and free of charge. This comprehensive warranty is proving to be one of the most influential factors shaping purchasing decisions in the Iraqi market. Given these compelling advantages, Al-Janabi anticipates continued and even greater growth in Chinese car sales throughout the second half of this year. 'Chinese cars are no longer viewed as lower quality; they are shaping the future of the automobile industry.' Al-Janabi to IraqiNews. Major Chinese brands actively establishing their presence and driving this market shift in Iraq include MG, Changan, and Jetour. Their diverse offerings are catering to a growing segment of Iraqi buyers. A broader regional trend supports this local boom. The Iraq Future Foundation's report also indicates that Chinese car exports to Middle Eastern countries collectively experienced substantial growth in the first half of 2025. The total number of vehicles exported to the region increased by 65%, reaching over 584,000 units, up from 353,000 in the corresponding period of 2024. The overall value of these regional exports climbed to approximately $7.7 billion, a significant jump from $4.5 billion in the first half of 2024. This data underscores China's expanding footprint and rising demand for its vehicles across regional markets.


Shafaq News
6 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq imports +18,000 Chinese vehicles in H1 2025
Shafaq News – Baghdad Iraq brought in over 18,000 vehicles from China during the first six months of 2025, up from 10,000 in the same period last year, the Iraq Future Foundation for Economic Studies and Consulting revealed on Saturday. Chinese auto exports to the Middle East jumped 65% in H1 2025, reaching more than 584,000 vehicles—up from 353,000 a year earlier. Export value rose to $7.7B from $4.5B, reflecting stronger demand and China's expanding foothold in regional markets. The United Arab Emirates was the top importer, receiving over 221,000 vehicles, more than double its 2024 total. Saudi Arabia followed with 123,000, while Turkiye brought in around 91,000. Jordan recorded the steepest growth, with imports surging 962% to more than 23,000—up from just 2,000 last year. Electric vehicles made up 10% of China's car exports to the region in H1 2025. The UAE led with 25,000 units, followed by Turkiye (20,000) and Jordan (15,000). Globally, China exported over 750,000 electric vehicles during the same period. Belgium ranked first worldwide, importing more than 100,000. The Foundation projects Chinese auto exports to the Middle East will surpass 1M by year's end, driven by accelerating demand and competitively priced EVs.