This development comes on the heels of successful potato exports to the UAE and Syria earlier this year, with further exports to these and other Gulf countries anticipated.

Dr. Kamaran Aziz 

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region is poised to export a substantial quantity of potatoes and rice to Jordan, marking a significant milestone in agricultural trade between the two regions.

Bashar Moshir, the owner of K.H. Potato Investment and Export Company, revealed to Kurdistan 24 on Sunday that Jordan is keen to import potatoes and rice from the Kurdistan Region and has taken concrete steps toward this goal.

Moshir stated that samples of potatoes grown by farmers in the Kurdistan Region have been sent to Jordanian scientific laboratories for quality testing. If they meet the required standards, a substantial export of 10,000 tons of potatoes will proceed in two phases, with 5,000 tons shipped in each stage.

This development comes on the heels of successful potato exports to the UAE and Syria earlier this year, with further exports to these and other Gulf countries anticipated.

In addition to potatoes, Jordanian officials have expressed keen interest in importing rice from the Kurdistan Region, particularly from the Akre region.

While the exact quantity remains to be determined, coordination is underway with Jordanian officials to facilitate the import process.

These export initiatives underscore the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ongoing commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and boosting domestic production.

Despite economic challenges, the ninth KRG cabinet has prioritized agricultural development and facilitated the marketing of farmers’ produce.

On Sunday, Aug. 25, the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received the Jordanian Minister of Agriculture Khaled Musa al-Henefat in Erbil. Later on, under the supervision of the Prime Minister, a memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Jordanian Agriculture Ministry to expand the economic and agriculture ties between the Kurdistan Region and the Kingdom of Jordan.

This progress aligns with the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministries of Agriculture of the Kurdistan Region and Jordan, aimed at fostering cooperation and coordination in agriculture and the food industry.

The anticipated exports to Jordan not only signify economic gains but also represent a testament to the quality and appeal of agricultural products from the Kurdistan Region in the international market.

Published Date: September 1, 2024