Halabja’s pomegranate festival draws record crowds and nearly $1 million in sales

HALABJA — A record-breaking 300,000 visitors packed the streets of Halabja for the 10th Annual Pomegranate and Autumn Festival, an event that saw pomegranate sales soar to 1.435 billion Iraqi dinars (nearly $950,000), making this year’s celebration the most successful yet.

Hashem Ali, spokesperson for Halabja’s Agriculture Department, reported to 964media that festival sales exceeded last year’s 1,350,000,000 dinars ($898,500), underscoring rising demand for Halabja’s pomegranates and other local products. “According to festival committee estimates, sales reached 1,435,000,000 dinars, surpassing last year’s total,” Ali said.

Visitor numbers surged this year, according to Hawraman Jalal, spokesperson for the Tourism Department, who detailed that the first day drew 80,000 visitors, the second day 110,000, and the final day 100,000 — totaling close to 300,000 attendees. These figures aligned with festival organizers’ earlier projections of 300,000 visitors.

Held from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, the 10th Annual Pomegranate and Autumn Festival celebrated Halabja’s agricultural heritage. The three-day event saw enthusiastic participation from locals and visitors alike, reinforcing the significance of the region’s renowned pomegranate production.

According to data from the Halabja General Directorate of Agriculture, approximately 2,600 acres of land are now dedicated to pomegranate orchards, highlighting the fruit’s importance to the local economy.

The festival featured 600 booths showcasing the goods of 700 farmers, producers, beekeepers, and artisans, underscoring the event’s role in promoting Halabja’s local products. Among the festival highlights was a competition for the largest pomegranate, with the winning fruit weighing 1 kilogram and 320 grams.

Keywan Fariq, a local farmer and one of the festival participants, secured the top spot and shared his excitement with 964media. “I won first place,” Fariq said. “My wife and I took first and second places in the festival’s largest pomegranate competition.” His winning pomegranate weighed 1.320kg, while his wife’s entry reached 1.290kg.

Fariq noted that his pomegranates originated from Syria, yet adapted well to Halabja’s climate, which supported their growth. He remarked that, had the competition been announced earlier, even larger pomegranates weighing up to 2 kilograms might have been entered. “There is a higher demand on larger pomegranates,” he added.

In Halabja, Fariq’s orchard grows approximately various varieties of pomegranates, with the Salakhani variety being the most renowned in the area.

Renowned for their rich flavor, tender texture, and vivid color, Salahkani pomegranates are a hallmark product that distinguishes Halabja’s agricultural offerings.

Over the three-day Halabja Pomegranate Festival, tens of thousands of visitors crowded the streets of Halabja, filling local restaurants and cafes to capacity. Roads were packed as tourists from across the Kurdistan Region, central and southern Iraq, and even visitors from neighboring countries gathered to celebrate the annual event showcasing the region’s famed pomegranates.

Ghalib Salim, manager of a local restaurant, described the scene during the festival’s second evening, saying to 964media, “It’s already evening, and our staff hasn’t even had time for lunch due to the non-stop flow of customers.”

Salim noted that Halabja remains underserved in infrastructure despite its attractions, adding, “Halabja is an underserved city. Pomegranate brought to Halabja what 10 government cabinets couldn’t.”

Situated near the Iranian border and about 83 kilometers southeast of Sulaymaniyah, Halabja was officially recognized as a governorate by the Kurdistan Regional Government in recent years, reinforcing its role in the region’s agricultural sector.

The festival provided a strong economic boost, especially for local restaurants, with hopes for continued growth in future festivals. “This festival has a significant positive impact on the local economy, particularly for restaurants. We hope that in the coming years, the festival will expand, allowing us to better welcome more tourists,” Salim said.

Among the many attendees at this year’s festival was an elderly woman who visited with her friends. Speaking to 964media, she shared her enthusiasm for the annual event, saying, “We come to this festival every year, and this year is no exception. It’s a very, very delightful festival.”

She and her companions enjoyed browsing the pomegranates and other goods on display, purchasing both fresh pomegranates and pomegranate-based products, such as molasses.

Salman Hadi, a pomegranate vendor participating in the festival for the first time, expressed his appreciation for the quality of this year’s produce. Speaking to 964media, Hadi said, “This is my first year participating, and the pomegranates from our region are particularly beautiful and of top quality this season.”

Hadi emphasized the festival’s importance for local farmers, noting that events like this are essential to support and boost the region’s agriculture. “Holding a festival like this is necessary for our area and for the farmers. Through it, we can sell our produce,” he said.