Cold weather slashes apple yields in Balakayati orchards

SORAN — Apple farmers in the Balakayati area of the Soran Autonomous Administration say this autumn’s harvest has dropped sharply due to cold weather and spring snowfall that damaged their orchards.

Rashid Hassan, an apple farmer from Haji Omaran district, told 964media, “Because of cold, wind, and snow, this year’s apple yield is very low. Last year I harvested 40 tons from my orchard, but this year I only got 15 tons — and I had the highest yield among other farmers.”

He said the cold weather particularly harmed younger apple trees and affected other crops as well. Beyond the reduced harvest, farmers say they are struggling to compete with imported Iranian apples flooding local markets.

“I just loaded a shipment to send to the wholesale market,” Hassan said. “I’ll have to wait several days to see if it sells. The apples are large and good quality. I’m still thankful to God for what I got this year.”

Balakayati, known for its fertile soil and abundant water resources, is one of the Kurdistan Region’s most productive agricultural areas. The region typically produces around 2,000 tons of apples annually, according to agricultural statistics from Choman district, but this year’s output is expected to fall well below average.

Hassan said apple farming remains his main source of income. Duhok Governorate is also expecting a 60% decline in apple production this year due to low rainfall, according to the governorate’s general director of agriculture, Ahmad Jamil.