West Nineveh
Potato harvest begins in Rabia with high expectations
NINEVEH — The potato harvest season is underway in the Rabia sub-district of Nineveh, with farmers expecting abundant yields of various types, some intended for storage and others for marketing in Baghdad and southern governorates, and for supplying to chip factories.
Farmers in this region, known for its fertile soil ideal for potato cultivation, are hopeful for higher prices to help offset the significant costs incurred from the high prices of fertilizers and well digging. The current market price for potatoes ranges from 300-350 dinars ($0.23 to $0.27) per kilogram.
Abdulaziz Khalid, a local farmer, expressed his optimism about the season. “Today we started harvesting potatoes in Rabia. Some farmers prefer to store the crop for the coming months, while others sell it directly to traders from Baghdad and the south,” Khalid told 964media. “We hope for higher prices to cover the agricultural season’s costs,” he added.
Mohammed Saad, a potato trader from Baghdad, highlighted the consumer preference for local produce. “Customers prefer local potatoes because they are fresh. Supporting farmers is a national duty,” Saad said. He detailed the pricing structure: “We buy potatoes from farmers at 300-350 dinars ($0.23 to $0.27) per kilo and sell them wholesale at 400-500 dinars ($0.31 to $0.38). Retail prices range between 600-750 dinars ($0.46 to $0.57).”
Annually, markets in Baghdad and several southern governorates anticipate the fresh vegetables from Rabia’s farms. Besides potatoes, the area is renowned for cultivating tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, and watermelons. Over the years, these crops have become increasingly popular across various parts of Iraq, a welcome boost to farmers’ incomes.
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