Contacting farmers directly
Sulaymaniyah fruit vendor imports Basra okra amid competition
SULAYMANIYAH — A fruit and vegetable vendor in Sulaymaniyah continues to engage with farmers in Basra to import limited quantities of local “winter okra” produce, despite the cheaper Iranian alternative available in the markets. Reber Qadir says he sells one kilogram for 45,000 Iraqi dinars [$30 USD], often sold in “quarters.”
Reber Qadir, owner of fruits store, told 964media: “We brought the first batch of Basra okra two days ago and sell it for 45,000 Iraqi dinars per kilogram. This okra is not available in Kurdistan’s markets, but we are in direct contact with Basra farmers to send these quantities to us. What is available in the Sulaymaniyah market is the Iranian okra, which ranges in price from $3 to $5 dollars per kilogram. We bring small quantities of Basra okra, a box or two, and usually sell in small quantities, like a quarter of a kilogram, for example.”