Iraq fixes eggs at 6,000 dinars a tray as high costs persist despite ostensible surplus

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Ministry of Trade announced Sunday a fixed retail price for table eggs and threatened legal action against violators, the latest in a series of interventions in a market that authorities say is being manipulated despite domestic production ostensibly exceeding demand.

Trade Minister Atheer Dawood al-Ghurairi chaired an emergency session of the Higher Committee for Implementing Import Policy, which set the retail price for one tray of eggs at 6,000 dinars (about $3.95), while maintaining a 20% customs tariff. He called on citizens to report pricing violations through the government hotline 911.

The decision follows months of market turbulence. The Agriculture Ministry claimed earlier this month that Iraq produced 13.2 billion eggs last year against annual demand of 12 billion — an ostensible surplus of 1.2 billion — yet prices climbed to 80,000 dinars (about $52.6) per box. Officials blamed “trader speculation” and hoarding. Authorities authorized imports after prices reached 70,000 dinars per box, reversing restrictions that had been introduced to benefit domestic producers, and launched daily inspections at wholesale markets while requiring major producers to sell directly to consumers.