Figs from Taqtaq and Qaranaw draw strong demand in summer market

TAQTAQ — Farmers from Taqtaq and Qaranaw are bringing large quantities of figs to Qaranaw’s wholesale market this summer, with traders reporting daily sales of more than 30 tons on some days.

According to local vendors, about 200 farmers in these areas of Erbil and Kirkuk governorates deliver their produce to the market each day, with figs among the most sought-after items.

Goran Shwan, a seller at the Qaranaw market, told 964media, “When farmers bring their produce, an auction is held in front of the market. Buyers gather around, and whoever offers the highest price gets the produce.”

He said local farmers take special care in tending their fig trees, using clean river water and avoiding harmful chemicals.

Shwan added that in the past, farmers transported their crops to other cities, but now buyers from across much of the Kurdistan Region come directly to Qaranaw, purchasing produce at lower prices from the source.

Most of the figs sold are yellow variety, with smaller quantities of black figs also available. Prices start at about 7,000 IQD ($5) per kilogram at the beginning of the season when the fruit first ripens, dropping gradually as supply increases, sometimes as low as 600 IQD ($0.4).

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