Agricultural and Food Products
Estimated Export Volume: 3.8 million tons | Export Value: $2.2 billion
A significant portion of exports to Iraq consists of food and agricultural products, among which dates, apples, watermelons, tomato paste, and vegetables such as cucumbers and eggplants are the most in demand.
- Dates: About 400,000 tons of dates were exported to Iraq, with demand increasing especially during religious events.
- Tomato Paste: With around 120,000 tons exported in 2025, tomato paste is one of Iran’s strategic food industry products.
- Fresh Produce: Watermelon, eggplant, and cucumber comprised a significant portion of Iran’s seasonal exports.
Building Materials
Estimated Export Volume: 5.2 million tons | Export Value: $1.3 billion
Exports of building materials, particularly cement, tiles, ceramics, and building stone, are among the main export items to Iraq.
- Bulk and Bagged Cement: About 3.5 million tons of cement were shipped from provinces such as Khuzestan, Kermanshah, and Ilam to Iraq.
- Tiles and Ceramics: More than 300 million square meters of tile and ceramic products, mostly from Yazd Province, were exported to Iraq.
Plastic and Polymeric Products
Estimated Export Volume: 700,000 tons | Export Value: $600 million
With its large petrochemical facilities, Iran supplies part of Iraq’s market demand for plastic products including containers, pipes, nylon, and lightweight industrial parts.
- Plastic Containers and Packaging: Over 400,000 tons of disposable containers and packaging were exported to Iraq.
- Industrial Parts: Including agricultural and construction parts, especially for infrastructure projects in southern Iraqi cities.
Household and Cooling Appliances
Estimated Export Volume: 1.2 million units | Export Value: $400 million
Iranian home appliances—especially evaporative coolers, heaters, gas stoves, and mini-fridges—have influenced the Iraqi market due to their lower energy consumption and competitive prices.
- Evaporative Coolers: Over 600,000 units were exported to Iraq’s hotter regions.
- Gas Heaters and Water Heaters: More than 300,000 units have been used in northern Iraq.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Equipment
Estimated Export Volume: 25,000 tons | Export Value: $350 million
Generic medicines, nutritional supplements, masks, syringes, and gloves are consistently part of Iran’s export basket to Iraq.
- General Medicines: Around 18,000 tons of pharmaceuticals in various export packaging.
- Medical Consumables: Such as masks, saline, syringes, and alcohol, are mainly supplied to Iraq’s public and private hospitals.
Petrochemical and Oil Products
Estimated Export Volume: 10 million tons | Export Value: $3 billion
One of the largest categories of Iran’s exports to Iraq is oil and petrochemical products. Given Iraq’s need for these materials in construction, industry, and transportation projects, Iran maintains a significant share of this market.
- Bitumen: About 4 million tons of bitumen are exported for Iraq’s road construction projects.
- Motor Oil, Grease, and Paraffin: Over 1.5 million tons of various lubricants and petrochemical-related products.
Cosmetic and Hygiene Products
Estimated Export Volume: 15,000 tons | Export Value: $120 million
The market for Iranian hygiene products is expanding, especially in items such as shampoo, soap, creams, and baby diapers, due to their herbal formulations and reasonable pricing.
- Baby Diapers: Over 4,000 tons exported from popular Iranian brands in Iraq.
- Herbal Shampoos and Traditional Soaps: Significant presence in chain stores located in religious cities like Najaf and Karbala.
Final Conclusions
Iranian exports to Iraq in 2025, with a broad product variety, have reached over 25 million tons and are valued at over $9 billion. This trend demonstrates the strategic importance of Iraq for Iran’s non-oil exports and highlights the vital role of land borders in developing trade between the two countries.
To sustain and expand this valuable market, Iranian exporters should:
- Observe quality and packaging standards.
- Provide after-sales service and warranty.
- Present products with brand and fluent Arabic labeling.
- Keep up with changes in Iraqi customs and tax regulations.