Flower trade blossoms into thriving industry across Iraq

NEWSROOM —The flower trade in Iraq has evolved from a luxury market into a thriving industry, reflecting significant cultural changes among Iraqis. Businessmen have invested heavily in this sector, cultivating large nurseries that produce and import flowers from Kenya, Ecuador, the Netherlands, and, to a lesser extent, Turkey and Iran.

Flower traders have transitioned from simple sellers to specialists who manage intricate details of their products. For example, they ensure the ideal rose bloom measures 5.5 cm in diameter and use techniques like bending newly sprouted branches back into the soil to strengthen seedlings. In Iraq, the optimal rose length is 60 cm. Traders note that the flower business is highly profitable, with returns often realized within a week.

Muqtada al-Halfi, one of Iraq’s largest flower traders, shared in an interview with 964media that flower demand has surged in recent years. He noted that Baghdad alone imports nearly 3,000 cartons of various flowers weekly, each containing 30 bundles with 10 roses per bundle. Major consumers also include Basra, Najaf, Karbala, and Wasit.

Religious observances have played a crucial role in boosting flower demand, particularly during events like the Arbaeen pilgrimage, Eid al-Ghadir, and the birth anniversaries of Shia Imams. The black rose, traditionally associated with divorce ceremonies, has become central in religious rituals. Some flowers are injected or dyed to align with mourning periods. “No one is happy during these times, so they prefer black flowers,” Al-Halfi explained.

Al-Halfi, who began cultivating flowers in Iraq using greenhouses and modern technology, highlighted Spain as a leader in this field. He imported greenhouses from Madrid and started growing a type of rose using a hydroponic system that relies on water instead of soil. This method involves bending the rose stem to the ground to strengthen the branch and optimize sun exposure.

Iraq primarily imports flowers from Kenya and the Netherlands but turns to Turkey and Iran when flights are disrupted. Al-Halfi observed that flower culture has spread rapidly across Iraq over the last four years. Whereas gifts were once limited to sweets, flowers have now become integral to various industries, including confectionery and gifts. “Now, flowers accompany any other gift, no matter what it is,” he said.

Colors like red and yellow are symbols of joy and happiness, which is why flowers are dyed black during Muharram. “There is no naturally black flower due to its genetic makeup, so we dye them,” Al-Halfi noted. Demand for flowers has also risen for events like engagements and graduations, even in smaller towns like Al-Suwaira and Hit. “Now, every confectionery shop has about three refrigerators to store flowers and sell them alongside sweets,” Al-Halfi pointed out.

The trend of black roses in Iraq began about two years ago, gaining popularity on social media, particularly among women during separations. “Sometimes, a wife gives her husband a bouquet of black roses as a joke, accompanied by the phrase ‘the black hour’ on social media,” Al-Halfi said. However, during Muharram, black roses have become a staple on tables at religious gatherings. The black rose is not naturally occurring but is created by injecting red roses with dye. “In Kenya’s rose farms, they inject color into the stem using needles, and in Iraq, when we import red roses in a thirsty and wilted state, they absorb the dye completely, turning black,” Al-Halfi elaborated.

Ecuador has recently entered the Iraqi market due to improved economic conditions. Although Ecuadorian flowers are of higher quality, they are also more expensive. While countries like Ethiopia also produce flowers, the Iraqi market prefers imports from Ecuador, the Netherlands, and Kenya. During crises or flight disruptions, flowers are imported from other countries like Iran and Turkey, although Iranian flowers are considered of lower quality.

In greenhouses, roses are cultivated using specific methods to strengthen their stems. As the rose stem grows, it is bent towards the ground to encourage development. This technique, particularly important during the first cut, is known locally as “Matbakh” and is effective in hydroponic farming. It allows rose plants to continue producing for about ten years. When the stem is bent, sunlight enhances photosynthesis, strengthening the plant.

Al-Halfi mentioned that rose farms are being established in Iraq, with greenhouses imported from the Netherlands and Spain. Experiments are underway in Erbil, where two units covering 3,000 square meters are testing whether modern technology can make rose cultivation successful in Iraq.

Al-Halfi stressed the need to assess market demand for different types of roses, noting that flower imports have doubled in the past three years. Some weddings now require large spaces to be decorated with natural flowers, but the market cannot always meet such demands, leading to the use of artificial flowers.

Currently, the most popular flowers in Iraq are red roses, baby roses, gypsophila, white roses, and pink roses. Al-Halfi added that 60 cartons of baby roses are imported regularly, with many women starting businesses in flower shops and using flowers to decorate homemade sweets marketed on social media.

Plans are in place to open more greenhouses in central and southern Iraq, as well as Mosul, to meet rising demand. Social media, economic growth, and the influence of foreign films and Turkish series have all contributed to the growing interest in flowers.

Last year, demand for black roses was particularly high, but this year, they have become essential in the market. With every import shipment, Al-Halfi ensures that at least 1,000 black roses are included, given their popularity during mourning ceremonies and religious gatherings. Black roses are now even seen in vases at home during mourning periods.

The price of a bundle of red roses for regular traders is $5, increasing to $10 when dyed. A bundle of Ecuadorian roses contains 20 roses, while Dutch roses come in bundles of 12. The price of roses generally hovers around 5,000 IQD ($4), with black and indigo roses priced at 7,000 IQD ($5.30).

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