Iraq Announces Achieving Self-Sufficiency in Table Eggs

The Iraqi Poultry Producers Association announced today that the country has achieved local self-sufficiency in table egg production, noting that Iraq is expected to move toward exporting eggs in the near future amid rising production levels and a growing number of active poultry projects nationwide.

Ali Al-Mudhaffar, Chairman of the Association’s Board, told the official news agency that circulating statistics claiming the existence of only 1,000 to 1,200 poultry projects in Iraq are inaccurate. He clarified that the actual number of currently operating projects across Iraq—excluding the Kurdistan Region—stands at around 8,000 projects, while the Kurdistan Region itself hosts approximately 1,000 additional projects.
Al-Mudhaffar explained that poultry projects across the country vary significantly in production capacity, noting that a single project in some provinces may equal the output of nearly 100 projects in other areas, particularly in desert regions such as the Karbala plains. This variation reflects differing levels of technological advancement and investment among regions.

Regarding table eggs, Al-Mudhaffar confirmed that the import ban remains officially in force, and that no foreign eggs should be entering the Iraqi market, whether through legal channels or smuggling. He emphasized that current domestic production fully meets local demand.

He also pointed out that the poultry sector requires time to translate import-ban decisions into tangible production increases, as poultry breeding and production follow specific cycles and cannot be halted or resumed instantly. However, he noted that producers have already begun to increase production rates in recent months.
Al-Mudhaffar concluded by stating that current indicators suggest Iraq will not only meet domestic demand but will achieve a production surplus within the next two to three months, making it necessary to open export channels to absorb excess quantities, stabilize the local market, and further support national producers.