Okra harvest peaks in Basra with ‘Suhaili’ crop thriving in soaring heat

BASRA — September marks the peak of the harvest season for Basra’s famous “Suhaili” okra, a staple crop that thrives in the region’s high temperatures and is known for its abundance during this period. The okra, which begins ripening with the appearance of the Suhail star in mid-September, will continue to be harvested until December.

The Suhail star, also known as Canopus, is culturally significant in Iraq and signals the end of summer. It is the second-brightest star in the night sky. Farmers in northern Basra’s Shatit and Nahr Saleh areas take pride in this year’s strong okra yields, with many attributing the success to favorable weather conditions.

“September is the peak of the summer okra season, which is a key source of income for farmers,” Ali Lazim Al-Abadi, a local farmer, told 964media. “Production is strong, prices are good, and costs are lower than for winter crops, despite the lack of government support.”

High temperatures in the region have led to an increase in supply, causing prices to drop from 5,000 dinars per kilogram at the start of the harvest to 3,500 dinars in recent days.

Al-Abadi explained that temperature fluctuations significantly affect okra prices. “When temperatures rise, production increases by more than 50%, boosting supply and driving prices down.”

In other regions of Iraq, particularly in the cooler northern areas, okra planting starts in March, with the harvest season lasting from May to October.

Farmers begin harvesting early each morning, selling their produce to traders who transport it to Basra city, other provinces, and even as far as Kuwait. “We sell to traders who visit our farms, and they take the produce to markets across the region,” Al-Abadi added.

Despite the challenges of farming without government support, demand for Suhaili okra remains high, as it is a key ingredient in many traditional Iraqi dishes. The crop continues to sell out quickly in markets.