Eggplant harvest expands in Anbar as farmers shift from other crops

ANBAR — Farmers in Anbar are increasing eggplant cultivation, with some shifting away from tomatoes and cucumbers, in favor of the crop’s longer harvest season.

Iraq produces nearly 100,000 tons of eggplant annually, with Anbar contributing about 3,000 tons. In Hit’s Naṭil village, eggplant has become a mainstay crop, grown in plastic houses during winter before being transferred to open fields in spring. Harvest begins in June and lasts until late October.

Farmer Hamed Amin told 964media: “Eggplant has a longer production period than other crops. Planting starts in January in plastic houses, then moves to fields in spring. Harvest continues for four months until October, compared to cucumbers and tomatoes that finish by July.”

He said prices started at 400 IQD ($0.3) per kilogram early in the season but fell to 250 IQD ($0.2) as produce from Ramadi, Samarra, and Baghdad entered the market. Farmers also face high costs from electricity shortages, relying on fuel generators that can cost up to 100,000 IQD ($ 70) monthly, along with ongoing expenses for pesticides and plant stimulants to fight pests.

Amin noted that smaller eggplants fetch double the price due to higher demand.